Khoya Gulab Jamun (Soft Milk Dumplings in Syrup)
Soft, juicy milk dumplings made from khoya and paneer, fried golden and soaked in a fragrant cardamom and rose syrup. A classic Indian sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 125 g khoya, grated4.41 oz khoya, grated
- 30 g paneer, grated1.06 oz paneer, grated
- 37.5 ml plain flour2.54 tbsp plain flour
- 1.25 ml baking powder0.25 tsp baking powder
- 30 ml milk, added as needed2.03 tbsp milk, added as needed
- 500 ml oil, for deep frying2.11 cup oil, for deep frying
- 300 ml sugar1.27 cup sugar
- 180 ml water12.17 tbsp water
- 1.25 ml cardamom powder, for the syrup0.25 tsp cardamom powder, for the syrup
- 5 ml rose water1.01 tsp rose water
- 7.5 ml lemon juice1.52 tsp lemon juice
Steps
Make the Syrup
- Add the sugar and water to a wide pot and heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Boil the syrup until it turns slightly sticky, stopping before it reaches a one-string consistency so the jamuns can soak it up.
- Turn off the heat, then stir in the rose water, cardamom powder, and lemon juice. Set the syrup aside to stay warm.
Make the Dough
- Add the grated khoya and paneer to a mixing bowl and break up any large lumps.
- Sprinkle in the flour, cardamom powder, and baking powder, then mix everything together evenly.
- Add the milk a little at a time and gently bring it together into a smooth dough, without overworking it.
- Divide the dough into 14 to 16 equal portions.
- Roll each portion between your palms into a smooth, crack-free ball.
Fry the Dumplings
- Heat the oil in a deep pan over medium heat until a small piece of dough rises slowly to the top with gentle bubbles.
- Lower the flame to medium and gently drop in a few balls at a time, stirring the oil so they brown evenly.
- Fry, adjusting between low and medium heat, until the balls are golden brown all over.
- Lift the balls onto a paper towel and let them cool for 3 to 5 minutes.
Soak and Serve
- Add the warm balls to the warm syrup and gently roll them to coat all over.
- Let the gulab jamun soak for 30 to 45 minutes until soft and juicy, then serve with a little syrup.
Nutrition
- Calories
- 40
- Protein
- 1g
- Fat
- 2g
- Carbs
- 2g
Tips by age
This is a sweet, fried treat for occasional sharing. Offer half of one jamun, cut into small bite-size pieces, and squeeze out most of the syrup first.
Choking safety: Whole round dumplings are a choking risk. Always cut into small pieces and serve seated and supervised.
Serve one jamun cut into small pieces with a little syrup as an occasional dessert. Keep the portion small because it is very sweet.
Choking safety: Cut the round dumplings into bite-size pieces rather than serving whole.
Serve one to two jamuns with a spoon of syrup as an occasional sweet treat. Cut into halves or quarters for easier eating.
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