Dessert

Gulab Jamun Delicious Indian Dessert Recipe

Name: Gulab Jamun Delicious Indian Dessert Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: ¾ cup (100 grams) milk powder, unsweetened; ½ cup (60 grams) maida / plain flour; ½ tsp baking powder; 2 tbsp ghee / clarified butter; milk (as needed for kneading); ghee or oil (for deep frying); 2 cups sugar; 2 cups water; 2 cardamom pods; ¼ tsp saffron / kesar; 1 tsp lemon juice; 1 tsp rose water

ByIsabella Vance October 25, 2025October 25, 2025

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Introduction

Gulab Jamun is a beloved Indian dessert known for its soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet, fragrant syrup. These golden dumplings soaked in rose-scented sugar syrup make for a perfect treat during festivals or any special occasion.

The image shows a close-up of a round glass bowl filled with seven smooth, shiny, deep orange-brown gulab jamun balls soaked in syrup, neatly arranged in a circular pattern. Above this bowl, there are two smaller round white bowls: one contains mixed dried fruits with a mix of golden yellow, dark red, and brown pieces, while the other holds light brown almonds with a natural texture. To the right, a small part of another white bowl filled with pale green pistachios is visible. All bowls are placed on a white marbled surface. The colors are warm and inviting, with a glossy syrup reflection on the gulab jamun. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¾ cup (100 grams) unsweetened milk powder
½ cup (60 grams) maida (plain flour)
½ tsp baking powder
2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
Milk, as needed for kneading
Ghee or oil, for frying
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 cardamom pods
¼ tsp saffron (kesar)
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp rose water

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the milk powder, maida, and baking powder. Mix well to combine.
Step 2: Add the ghee to the dry mixture and mix thoroughly until the flour becomes moist.
Step 3: Gradually add milk as needed to form a soft dough. Be careful not to knead the dough too much.
Step 4: Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare the sugar syrup by combining sugar, water, cardamom pods, and saffron in a pan. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes until the syrup thickens slightly but does not reach string consistency.
Step 6: Turn off the heat and stir in lemon juice and rose water. Cover and set the syrup aside.
Step 7: After resting, divide the dough into small portions and gently roll into smooth, crack-free balls.
Step 8: Heat ghee or oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Fry the balls gently, stirring continuously and keeping the heat low to ensure even cooking.
Step 9: Fry until the gulab jamuns turn golden brown. Remove them carefully and drain excess oil.
Step 10: Immediately transfer the fried jamuns into the warm sugar syrup and let them soak, covered, for about 2 hours until they absorb the syrup and double in size.
Step 11: Serve gulab jamun warm or at room temperature, alone or with ice cream.

Tips & Variations

Use ghee for frying to enhance the traditional flavor and aroma of gulab jamun.
Ensure the dough balls have no cracks to prevent them from breaking while frying.
Do not over-knead the dough to keep the jamuns soft and tender.
Add a pinch of cardamom powder to the dough for extra fragrance.
For a richer taste, you can substitute some milk powder with khoya (reduced milk solids).

Storage

Store gulab jamun in an airtight container along with the sugar syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving by warming the syrup with the jamuns on low heat. Avoid microwaving to keep the texture intact.

How to Serve

The image shows a clear glass bowl filled with seven round, golden-brown gulab jamun balls soaked in syrup, placed in the center on a white marbled surface. Surrounding the main bowl are three white bowls: one on the left filled with light brown almonds, another below it filled with mixed dried fruits of yellow, orange, dark brown, and red colors, and one on the right filled with white pistachios. The lighting highlights the smooth, glossy texture of the gulab jamun, making them look soft and juicy, while the nuts and dried fruits add a textured contrast around it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of milk powder?

Milk powder is essential for the soft texture of gulab jamun. Using only regular flour will make the dessert dense and chewy, so it’s best to stick to the recipe.

Why do my gulab jamuns crack while frying?

Cracks usually occur if the dough is too dry or handled roughly. Ensure the dough is soft, moist, and roll the balls gently without putting too much pressure to avoid cracks.