Ledikeni is a beloved Bengali sweet crafted from fresh chhena and soaked in aromatic syrup. This iconic dessert is a highlight of family celebrations and a pride of Bengali culinary tradition.
Crumble chhena until smooth and combine with khoya in a mixing bowl; knead gently for 5–7 minutes for a soft, cohesive dough.
Add all-purpose flour and baking powder, then ghee; mix and knead until everything is uniformly blended, ensuring no dry patches remain.
Portion the dough into 10–12 small oval balls, shaping gently to avoid cracks and keeping size even for even frying.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan on medium-low; gently fry the dough balls in batches, stirring continuously for even browning. Maintain medium-low heat to prevent overbrowning or undercooking the centers.
Meanwhile, prepare the syrup: Boil sugar, water, and cardamom pods for 8–10 minutes to form a light syrup. Turn off heat and stir in rose water.
As soon as the fried Ledikeni balls are golden and crisp, remove with a slotted spoon and place them directly into the warm syrup. Let them soak for at least 1 hour to absorb the syrup fully.
Serve Ledikeni at room temperature, allowing excess syrup to drip off for a perfect sticky-sweet finish.