Coconut Free Gulab Jamun
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 this version is surprisingly approachable to make at home. The dough comes together from milk powder, a touch of flour, and butter, then gets fried low and slow until deeply golden before taking a long, luxurious soak in fragrant sugar syrup. That slow fry is the real secret: keeping the oil between 300–320°F lets the centers cook through gently while the outside develops an even, caramel-colored crust without burning. Many store-bought or restaurant versions can include unexpected additives, but here every ingredient is straightforward and easy to verify — no hidden extras to worry about. The rose water and cardamom syrup does most of the heavy lifting on flavor, turning simple pantry staples into something that tastes genuinely special. A scatter of slivered pistachios on top adds a little color and crunch if you want to dress them up for guests. These are wonderful warm, but they hold beautifully at room temperature, making them a great make-ahead dessert for a dinner party or festive spread.
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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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