I recently crafted my favorite Gulab Jamun Recipe with an interesting blend of milk powder, all-purpose flour, and crushed cardamom pods. I even include a hint of rose water to enhance its distinctive character. This unique Indian dessert surprises with its simple yet engaging flavor profile that invites a closer look.
I’ve always been fascinated by the sweet magic of Indian desserts and this Easy Indian Gulab Jamun With Milk Powder Recipe is one of my favorites. I realized that making these delicious treats at home can be surprisingly fun, and with ingredients like 1 cup milk powder, 1/4 cup all purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, its super easy to whip up a batch even if you’re a bit new to the kitchen.
I mix in 3 to 4 tablespoons warm whole milk and sometimes add 1 tablespoon melted ghee for a smoother dough that just feels better when frying in vegetable oil. The sugar syrup made from 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water, spiced with 2 cardamom pods and a dash of 1 teaspoon rose water, is enough to leave you craving more.
This recipe really brings out the authentic flavors of a classic Indian dessert that reminds you of traditional flavours like those found in Vindaloo or even Aloo Gobi in its own unique way. Enjoy creating this piece of culinary art!
Why I Like this Recipe
1. I like this recipe because it uses simple ingredients like milk powder and flour to make something that feels really special and tasty.
2. I really enjoy how the dough turns out smooth and soft, and the syrup with cardamom (and even rose water if I choose it) gives the Gulab Jamun an amazing flavor that reminds me of home.
3. I appreciate that even though frying can be a bit tricky, the recipe is pretty straightforward and makes me feel confident in the kitchen when I cook it.
4. I love that the fried balls soak up the sweet syrup perfectly, giving me that satisfying mix of that crunchy outside and soft, syrupy inside every time I eat them.
Ingredients
- Milk powder packs protein and calcium, making the dough rich and super smooth.
- All purpose flour offers structure while blending well with milk powder for a tender base.
- Baking soda lightens the dough, ensuring a delicate and fluffy texture.
- Sugar sweetens the syrup, delivering a luscious, melt in your mouth glaze.
- Cardamom pods add a warm spice that lifts the flavor with each bite.
- Rose water gives a subtle floral note, enhancing both aroma and taste.
- Ghee lends a buttery finish that enriches the dough, though its use is optional.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 cup milk powder
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 to 4 tablespoons warm whole milk
- 1 tablespoon melted ghee (optional for a smoother dough)
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 teaspoon rose water (optional for extra flavor)
How to Make this
1. In a bowl, mix together the milk powder, all purpose flour, and baking soda until well combined.
2. Gradually add the warm whole milk and melted ghee if you’re using it, mixing until you get a soft, smooth dough.
3. Knead the dough for a few minutes then cover it with a clean cloth and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a separate pot, combine the granulated sugar, water, and crushed cardamom pods. Bring it to a boil then let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. After simmering, stir in the rose water if you want that extra flavor then set the syrup aside.
6. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan until it reaches around 350°F; you can test the oil by dropping a tiny piece of dough and checking if it sizzles.
7. Divide the dough into small portions and roll them between your palms to form smooth balls; try not to let any cracks form.
8. Carefully slide the dough balls into the hot oil, frying them in batches so that they dont overcrowd the pan.
9. Fry the balls until they turn a nice deep golden brown, turning them occasionally for even cooking.
10. Once fried, remove the balls with a slotted spoon and place them into the warm sugar syrup to let them soak and absorb the flavor before serving.
Equipment Needed
1. Mixing bowl
2. Measuring cups and spoons
3. Whisk or spoon for mixing
4. Small pot for making the sugar syrup
5. Clean cloth for covering the dough while it rests
6. Deep frying pan
7. Slotted spoon for removing the fried dough pieces
FAQ
Easy Indian Gulab Jamun With Milk Powder Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you dont have milk powder, you could try using powdered skim milk or even evaporated milk that has been dried out a bit.
- You can swap all purpose flour with cake flour if its what you have in your pantry, but remember it might make the texture a bit lighter.
- If you run out of baking soda, you can use about double the amount of baking powder instead, though it might slightly alter the taste.
- Melted ghee can be replaced with melted butter if you dont mind a minor flavor change in your dough.
- For warm whole milk, any non dairy milk like almond milk works fine if you’re looking for an alternative.
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you check the oil temperature before frying; a quick test with a tiny piece of dough can help ya figure if it’s hot enough so your treats come out perfect.
2. Dont skip letting the dough rest for a few minutes – even if it seems like nothing – coz that helps it get smooth and less likely to crack when you form the balls.
3. While you’re frying, try not to put too many dough balls in the pan at once, cause overcrowding can lower the oil temp and make your treats greasy instead of crisp.
4. When making the sugar syrup, keep an eye on it. Let it simmer gently so the cardamom and rose water flavors really shine through without getting overcooked.
Easy Indian Gulab Jamun With Milk Powder Recipe
My favorite Easy Indian Gulab Jamun With Milk Powder Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Mixing bowl
2. Measuring cups and spoons
3. Whisk or spoon for mixing
4. Small pot for making the sugar syrup
5. Clean cloth for covering the dough while it rests
6. Deep frying pan
7. Slotted spoon for removing the fried dough pieces
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk powder
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 to 4 tablespoons warm whole milk
- 1 tablespoon melted ghee (optional for a smoother dough)
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 teaspoon rose water (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix together the milk powder, all purpose flour, and baking soda until well combined.
2. Gradually add the warm whole milk and melted ghee if you’re using it, mixing until you get a soft, smooth dough.
3. Knead the dough for a few minutes then cover it with a clean cloth and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a separate pot, combine the granulated sugar, water, and crushed cardamom pods. Bring it to a boil then let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. After simmering, stir in the rose water if you want that extra flavor then set the syrup aside.
6. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan until it reaches around 350°F; you can test the oil by dropping a tiny piece of dough and checking if it sizzles.
7. Divide the dough into small portions and roll them between your palms to form smooth balls; try not to let any cracks form.
8. Carefully slide the dough balls into the hot oil, frying them in batches so that they dont overcrowd the pan.
9. Fry the balls until they turn a nice deep golden brown, turning them occasionally for even cooking.
10. Once fried, remove the balls with a slotted spoon and place them into the warm sugar syrup to let them soak and absorb the flavor before serving.