Soft Indian Rasgulla Soaked in Sweet Floral Syrup

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Rasgulla are the soft cheese balls simmered in syrup until they puff, the lighter cousin of gulab jamun. I boil them gently so they swell instead of collapsing.

The process may seem intricate, but with careful attention, you can achieve perfectly round and fluffy rasgullas that soak up the sweet syrup beautifully.

Authentic Indian Rasgulla Recipe

These soft rasgullas are prepared by kneading chhena and shaping it into balls, which are then boiled in a light sugar syrup infused with cardamom and rose essence. The dessert is light, airy, and allows the sweet floral flavor to shine through. This recipe yields about 15 rasgullas.

Ingredients

1 liter whole milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice (or vinegar)
1 cup sugar
4 cups water
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/2 teaspoon rose water
Ice water (for soaking)
A pinch of saffron strands (optional)

Instructions

Make Chhena: Boil the milk in a pan. Once it comes to a boil, add lemon juice to curdle the milk. Stir gently until the curds separate from the whey. Strain the mixture through a muslin cloth to collect the chhena. Rinse it in cold water to remove any acidic taste and press out excess water.
Knead the Chhena: Transfer the chhena to a clean surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and forms a soft dough.
Shape Rasgullas: Divide the kneaded chhena into equal portions and roll them into smooth balls. Make sure there are no cracks.

Prepare Syrup: In a separate pot, combine water, sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron (if using). Bring it to a boil until the sugar dissolves completely.
Cook Rasgullas: Gently add the rasgulla balls to the boiling syrup. Cook for about 15-20 minutes; they will double in size and become spongy. Do not stir vigorously as they can break.
Add Floral Flavor: Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and stir in rose water. Let the rasgullas soak in the syrup until they cool. Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best texture.