Grind Dates to a smooth paste. If there are few bits and pieces of Dates then dont worry. Leave them as it is.
Heat butter in a non-stick pan and once it starts melting add the Dates paste
Add cocoa powder, vanilla essence and mix everything together
In addition to chocolate flavor, the cocoa gives a lovely dark brown to the ladoos
After 10 minutes remove the Dates paste from the pan and using your hands, mash them and form a dough
In the same pan dry roast nuts and dessicated coconut for few seconds. You don’t have to roast it until goldenbrown.
Grind them to a coarse powder
Grease your palms with Coconut oil or Ghee and start shaping the Dates Cocoa dough into small Ladoos
Finally coat the Ladoos with nuts mixture. If you want firmer Ladoos you can refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving to your guests or packing them in your kids lunch box.
Recipe Notes
Dates paste will be slightly tougher to transfer from mixie to a bowl. Use a silicon spatula or use your hands to transfer to a container
Don’t add water while making this paste
You can use Walnuts, Pistachios,Pumpkin Seeds as well
Don’t use fresh grated coconut. Since it retains moisture it will make the Ladoos soggy.