How to Make the Perfect Gulab Jamun
Indian · Easy · 45 min · 16 servings
These soft melt in your mouth Indian milk dumplings soaked in cardamom rose syrup are a wonderfully exciting kid friendly recipe that introduces children to the flavors of South Asian cuisine. Kids love rolling the little dough balls and watching them puff up in the oil before soaking in the fragrant golden syrup.
Why this recipe works
This Gulab Jamun recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 175 calories with 3g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 200 g full fat milk powder
- 50 g all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 60 ml warm milk
- 300 g granulated sugar
- 1 tsp rose water
- 3 whole cardamom pods crushed
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Syrup First
Combine granulated sugar with 400ml of water and crushed cardamom pods in a saucepan. Bring to a boil stirring until sugar dissolves completely then simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in rose water. Keep warm while you prepare the dough.
Step 2: Make the Dough Balls
Mix milk powder, flour and baking powder in a bowl. Add warm milk gradually and mix until a soft smooth non sticky dough forms. Do not overwork the dough. Divide into 16 equal portions and roll each between palms into a smooth crack free ball.
Step 3: Fry the Dumplings
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 150 degrees C which is lower than usual frying temperature. Fry gulab jamun in small batches for 8 to 10 minutes turning gently until evenly deep golden brown. Low slow frying ensures they cook through to the center.
Step 4: Soak in Syrup
Remove fried gulab jamun and immediately place them into the warm sugar syrup. They will absorb the syrup and puff up noticeably over 30 minutes becoming incredibly soft and syrupy. Serve warm or at room temperature garnished with crushed pistachios.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- rose water → vanilla extract for a more familiar flavor profile that children in Western countries tend to enjoy more
- cardamom pods → half teaspoon of ground cardamom for convenience if whole pods are not available at the local grocery store
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Frying at too high a temperature which makes the outside brown quickly while leaving the inside raw and dense
- Rolling the dough balls with cracks on the surface which causes them to break apart and crumble when they hit the hot oil
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 175 calories, 3g protein, 28g carbs, 6g fat, 0g fiber.
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