Classic Indian Rasgulla Recipe
Rasgulla is a classic Indian dessert made from fresh cheese balls cooked in a light sugar syrup. This delightful sweet treat is soft, spongy, and soaked in syrup, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and texture that melts in your mouth.
- Author: Lara
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 15-20 rasgullas 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cheese Balls
- 1 liter full-fat milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
- Water as needed
Sugar Syrup
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 cups water
- Make the chenna (cheese): Boil the milk in a heavy-bottomed pan. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and add lemon juice gradually while stirring gently until the milk curdles and separates into curds and whey. Turn off the heat and strain the curds using a muslin cloth, rinsing under cold water to remove the lemon taste. Hang the cloth for 30 minutes to drain excess water.
- Prepare the chenna balls: Transfer the chenna to a plate and knead it thoroughly for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and pliable. Divide the mixture into small equal portions and roll each into smooth balls without cracks.
- Make sugar syrup: In a wide pan, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve the sugar completely, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook the rasgullas: Gently drop the chenna balls into the boiling sugar syrup. Cover the pan and cook on medium heat for about 15-20 minutes. The balls will expand and become spongy. Keep the lid slightly ajar to prevent overflow.
- Cool and serve: Once cooked, allow the rasgullas to cool in the syrup. They can be served chilled or at room temperature as preferred, garnished with a few saffron strands or cardamom powder if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh full-fat milk for best results.
- Ensure the chenna is kneaded well to make soft balls.
- Keep an eye on the syrup to prevent it from boiling over.
- Rasgullas expand when cooking, so leave enough space in your pan.
- For a richer flavor, add cardamom or rose water to the sugar syrup.
Keywords: Rasgulla, Indian dessert, chenna balls, sugar syrup, sweet recipe