India Gulab Jamun (Fried Rosewater Syrup Balls)
One of India's most popular desserts, gulab jamun are fried balls of milk solids that are soaked with rosewater syrup. Garnished with pistachios, almonds, or gold flake, gulab jamun take on a festive appearance that is perfect for birthdays, festivals, weddings and other celebrations. After popping the small, delicately seasoned balls into one's mouth, the real pleasure begins when the spongy dough releases its sweet syrup. No wonder that it is difficult to eat just one! Recipe Servings: Serves 4–6
Prep Time
35 minutes
+ 20 minutes resting
+ 20 minutes resting
Cook Time
45 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 40 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal
Ingredients
Dough:- 1 cup (128 g) dry milk powder
- 3 Tbsp (45 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) ghee (clarified butter), melted
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) baking powder
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm milk
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) chopped almonds (optional)
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) chopped pistachios (optional)
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) golden raisins
- Pinch of ground cardamom
- 1 quart (1 l) vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 1/4 cup (250 g) white sugar
- 7 oz (190 ml) water
- 1 tsp (5 ml) rosewater
- Pinch of ground cardamom
Directions
- Dough:
- In a large bowl, mix together milk powder, flour, baking powder, and one pinch of ground cardamom.
- Add almonds, pistachios, and golden raisins.
- Add melted ghee.
- Add milk. Mix until well blended.
- Cover and allow to rest for 20 minutes.
- Syrup:
- In a large skillet, stir together sugar, water, rose water, and a pinch of cardamom. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer for 1 minute. Set aside.
- Cooking:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet or pan for 5 minutes.
- Knead dough. Break into 20 pieces and form each into a ball.
- Reduce heat under vegetable oil to low.
- Fry balls of dough for about 5 minutes, or until they float.
- When the jamun float, increase heat to medium and turn them until they are golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Simmer fried balls in syrup for about 5 minutes, gently squeezing them to soak up syrup.
- Serve warm or chilled.
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