🍮 Gulab Jamun & Kheer: Easy Desi Desserts (2026)

No South Asian celebration is complete without sweets. Gulab jamun — soft milk dumplings in rose syrup — and kheer — creamy slow-cooked rice pudding — are the two desserts every home cook should master.

Gulab Jamun (makes 20)

• 1 cup milk powder, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp ghee, milk to knead
• Syrup: 1.5 cups sugar, 1.5 cups water, 4 cardamoms, 1 tsp rose water

Method: Knead a soft dough, make crack-free balls. Fry on LOW heat until golden (high heat burns outside, raw inside). Soak in warm syrup 2 hours.

Kheer (serves 6)

• 1/2 cup basmati rice, 1 liter whole milk, 1/2 cup sugar, cardamom, saffron, pistachios

Method: Simmer rice in milk on low heat 45-60 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy. Add sugar, cardamom and saffron. Serve chilled with pistachios.

Tips

• Jamun dough must be crack-free or they break in oil.
• Kheer thickens as it cools — stop slightly early.
• Both keep 3-4 days refrigerated.

← Back to articles