Vegan Malai Ladoo

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for at least 20 minutes)
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 tablespoons vegan cream cheese
• 7 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut flour (or use 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour )
• 1 teaspoon oil or vegan butter (omit for oil-free)
• 5 tablespoons fine almond flour
• seeds from 2 cardamom pods (crushed coarsely)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• shredded coconut, chopped pistachios, or other toppings of choice (optional)

Steps

1. 1

   Drain the soaked cashews, and blend them with the water for a minute. Add the vegan cream cheese, sugar, salt, and coconut flour, then blend again until smooth.

2. 2

   Transfer the mixture to a skillet. Use 2 tablespoons water to rinse out the blender, and add that to the skillet, as well, along with the vegan butter. Cook over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture will get lumpy then thicken evenly

3. 3

   Mix in the almond flour and cardamom, then continue to cook for another 10 minutes, or until the mixture pulls away from the sides and bottom of the pan.

4. 4

   Cool, then chill for an hour before shaping into 12 balls. Coat in shredded coconut or top with chopped pistachios or other decoration if you wish. Serve chilled.