Gulab Jamun Recipe: Soft Indian Milk Dumplings in Syrup 2026

Gulab jamun is one of the most beloved sweets in Indian and Pakistani baking, and for good reason. These small, tender balls made from milk powder and flour are fried until golden, then left to soak in a warm, aromatic syrup scented with cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, star anise and dried rose petals.

The result is a dessert that is sweet, fragrant and impossibly soft, the kind that surprises even the most demanding palates. Serve them on their own or dress them up with chopped pistachios, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even whipped cream.

They are also a perfect make-ahead dessert. You can leave the balls in the syrup overnight in the fridge so they become deeply soaked, and all you have to do at dessert time is serve them.

Ingredients for Gulab Jamun

This recipe makes 10 gulab jamun, enough for a generous dessert for several people.

• 500 g water
• 200 g white sugar
• 4 cardamom seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick
• A few strands of saffron
• 1 star anise
• 1 pinch dried rose petals
• 100 g milk powder
• 100 g wheat flour
• 2 g baking soda
• 50 g unsalted butter at room temperature
• 80 g whole milk
• Oil for frying

How to Make Gulab Jamun Step by Step

1. Start the syrup

Begin by making the syrup. Put 500 grams of water, 200 grams of white sugar, 4 cardamom seeds, 1 cinnamon stick, a few strands of saffron, 1 star anise and 1 pinch of dried rose petals in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil.

2. Simmer and cool the syrup

Once the sugar has dissolved, lower the heat and let the syrup simmer for 5 minutes. Remove it from the heat and let it cool while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

3. Mix the dry ingredients

In a bowl, mix 100 grams of milk powder, 100 grams of wheat flour and 2 grams of baking soda.

4. Work in the butter

Add 50 grams of unsalted butter at room temperature and mix. You will end up with a mixture that looks like crumbs.

5. Add the milk gradually

Add 80 grams of whole milk little by little, until you get a dough you can shape into balls without cracks. You may have a little milk left over or need a little more, depending on how much your flour absorbs.

6. Shape the balls and heat the oil

Make portions of 30 grams and shape them into balls, then set aside. Heat the frying oil to 160-170 ºC.

7. Fry the gulab jamun

Fry the balls until golden. If the oil is at the right temperature, they will take about 5 minutes to be ready.

8. Drain the excess oil

Remove the balls from the oil and place them on absorbent kitchen paper to remove the excess oil.

9. Soak them in the syrup

Next, put them in the syrup and let them rest for at least 1 hour so they soak up well. You can keep them in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap, and leave them overnight.

10. Serve

Serve the gulab jamun just as they are or with chopped pistachios, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even whipped cream. Either way, it is a delicious dessert.

Tips for the Best Gulab Jamun

Make them ahead of time

This is a perfect dessert to prepare in advance. Leave the balls in the syrup overnight in the fridge so they become deeply soaked, and simply serve them at dessert time.

Get the dough consistency right

Add the milk gradually until the dough can be shaped into balls without cracks. Depending on how much your flour absorbs, you may have a little milk left over or need to add a splash more.

Watch the frying temperature

Keep the oil at 160-170 ºC so the balls cook through and turn evenly golden, which takes about 5 minutes. Drain them well on absorbent paper before they go into the syrup.

30 Top Dishes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Much like me, you probably like having a rotation of fuss-free comfort dishes, well-known global plates, and desserts that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, I tend to reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And any time a fruity, cozy dessert sounds good, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

On mornings when I want something quick and on lighter days, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, I'm fond of making this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

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And when drinks plus a whole spread are on the agenda for company, I'll typically serve dinner alongside this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. Then to fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for Loved Ones

After years of trying and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the greatest dishes balance ease, dependable methods, and big flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the very ones I keep coming back to, time and again—whether I'm throwing together a fast meal just for me or putting on something memorable for friends and family.

For a sweet finish, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to whenever I want something elegant yet effortless. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe shows exactly how I make it at home.

Whenever something light and uncomplicated is what I'm craving, I reach for the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort meals, I'm quick to point to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm equally fond of passing along dishes rooted in tradition from across the globe, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the timeless Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that baked pasta classics can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying minus the gluten.

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