Carrageenan Free Gulab Jamun
These soft, syrup-soaked milk dumplings are one of the most beloved sweets in South Asian cuisine, and this from-scratch version delivers that melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them so irresistible. The dough comes together with just milk powder, flour, a touch of baking soda, and butter — no stabilizers, no additives, nothing you'd have to second-guess on a label. That matters more than it might seem, because many store-bought or restaurant versions rely on processed dairy ingredients that can quietly contain thickening agents you're trying to avoid. Here, the whole milk and full-fat milk powder do all the work naturally, giving the dumplings their pillowy, tender crumb. The cardamom-and-rose-water syrup is equally clean — just sugar, water, and fragrant aromatics simmered into something that smells like a celebration. Frying low and slow is the real secret to getting that even golden color and fully cooked center, and soaking them in warm syrup for at least 30 minutes lets them plump up into something genuinely spectacular. Finish with a scatter of slivered pistachios and you have a dessert that looks stunning and tastes even better.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 tbsp rose water
For the dough
- 1 cup milk powder (full-fat)
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 tbsp whole milk, as needed
For frying
- 2 cups neutral oil (such as canola or sunflower), for frying
For serving
- 2 tbsp slivered pistachios (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, sugar, and crushed cardamom pods in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes until the syrup is slightly thickened and coats a spoon lightly. Remove from the heat, stir in the rose water, and keep warm over the lowest heat setting.
- 2
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk powder, all-purpose flour, and baking soda. Add the softened butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs with no visible butter pieces.
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