Chestnut Free Gulab Jamun

Total time1 hr 15 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time25 min

5.0

(7)

Soft, syrup-soaked, and perfumed with cardamom and rose water, these little golden spheres are one of the most beloved sweets in South Asian cuisine — and once you make them at home, you'll understand exactly why. The dough comes together from milk powder, flour, a touch of baking soda, and butter, which means the ingredient list is refreshingly straightforward and free from any tree nut fillers or chestnut-based thickeners that can sneak into store-bought versions. Getting the oil temperature right is the real secret here — a low, steady heat between 300 and 320°F lets each ball cook all the way through before the outside deepens to that signature burnished brown. After frying, they go straight into a warm sugar syrup laced with cardamom and rose water, soaking up every drop until they're pillowy and fragrant all the way to the center. A scatter of slivered pistachios on top adds a little color and crunch if you want to dress them up for guests. These are the kind of dessert that disappear from the plate before you've even finished plating the last batch.

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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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