Pork Free Gulab Jamun
Soft, pillowy dough balls soaked in a fragrant cardamom and rose water syrup — this is one of those desserts that feels genuinely celebratory every single time it hits the table. The dough comes together from milk powder, flour, and a touch of butter, then each ball is slowly fried at a low temperature so the inside cooks through before the outside deepens to that signature golden brown. That patient, low-and-slow fry is the real secret here, giving you a tender, syrup-drunk center rather than a dense or doughy one. Every ingredient in this recipe is naturally free from pork and pork-derived products, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out — it works exactly as written. The syrup itself is beautifully simple: sugar, water, crushed cardamom, and a splash of rose water that perfumes the whole dish with a floral warmth you'll want to bottle. A scatter of slivered pistachios on top adds a little color and crunch that makes the finished plate look like it came straight out of a South Asian sweet shop. Whether you serve these warm right after soaking or let them sit at room temperature, they're the kind of dessert that disappears 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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