MSG 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 they're surprisingly achievable at home. The dough comes together from just milk powder, flour, baking soda, butter, and a splash of whole milk, so every ingredient is straightforward and naturally free from any flavor-enhancing additives. That simplicity is actually part of what makes this dessert so special: the flavor comes entirely from technique and a few beautifully aromatic ingredients, not shortcuts. Frying low and slow at 300–320°F is the key to getting that even, deep golden color while ensuring the centers cook all the way through before the outside over-browns. The warm sugar syrup, fragrant with crushed cardamom and a finishing stir of rose water, does the rest — the balls soak it up and plump into something almost impossibly tender. A scatter of slivered pistachios on top adds a gentle crunch and a pop of color that makes the whole plate look like it came from a proper mithai shop. Whether you serve them warm straight from the syrup or let them rest to room temperature, they disappear fast.
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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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