Yes! You heard it right! They are baked... these beauties are not fried, not this time around... :)
This recipe is dedicated to my cousin H. I promised her one for her bridal shower and never got around giving it to her. I wanted to make something healthful, an Indian dessert and one that I could create just for her. I have tried this recipe a couple of times once from a ready made mix and another time from scratch. Both have turned out very well. So here is the recipe for you my dear H...
Note: The jamun balls once placed in the oven needs your utmost care and patience. This recipe switches between baking and broiling in your oven. When you turn the broil mode on, you cannot take your eyes off the oven. It takes just seconds to burn them, so giving you all a heads up.
Baked Gulab Jamun
For the Jamun:
Khova powder/Mava powder - 1 cup
All purpose flour - 1/2 cup
Ghee/Clarified butter - 1 tsp
Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
Cardamom - 1/4 tsp
Skim Milk - 2 tbsp (just enough to make a stiff dough)
For the Sugar Syrup:
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Water - 1/4 cup
Corn Syrup - 2 tbsp
Rose essence - 1/4 tsp
Cardamom - 1/4 tsp
Saffron - For garnish
Method:
Preheat oven to 375F.
For the sugar syrup, Place a pot on medium heat, add sugar, water and corn syrup and let it boil till it reaches a syrupy consistency. The corn syrup prevents the sugar from crystallizing. You can omit this if you are familiar with making this kind of syrup. Switch off the flame and add the cardamom and rose essence. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients listed under "Jamun" and knead well to make a stiff dough. Make small balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Place the tray in a pre-heated 375F oven. Bake the jamun balls till they are very lightly brown on the bottom. Just around that time, switch the oven to broil mode and let the jamuns get golden brown on the top. Make sure to keep a constant look on the tray, as the broil mode in an oven typically reaches 500F, and will burn the jamuns in no time. This should take about 2 minutes or less.
Once the jamuns are brown on both sides as shown in the picture, take them out and plop them into the sugar syrup and let it soak. You may make more sugar syrup if you like, the recipe that I have given makes just enough to soak the jamuns. It was my way of not adding too much sugar into the recipe.
Allow to cool completely and enjoy.
I could never make out its baked if you did not tell....Looks gorgeous..
ReplyDeleteWow looks perfect...no one can even identify it as baked...yummy and healthy idea...Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewow! I am so gonna try this
ReplyDeletethis is a must try...baked jamuns sound great to me !
ReplyDeleteIts been a long time u posted and u r back wid a fab recipe..baked gulab jamuns,I could not hv thought abt it...liked d texture too...
ReplyDeleteThat is fabulous. How long did you bake it at 375 before the bottom turned brown?
ReplyDeleteWow this is yummy and tempting dear,loved it...
ReplyDeleteThis is genius.. Never thought gulab jamuns can be baked.. sounds healthy and looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteGood one Divya, looks very very delicious! Next time when I make Jamuns, I will reserve a few and try baking them.
ReplyDeletewow.. That sounds amazing...
ReplyDeletehttp://ammajirecipes.blogspot.com/
Very innovative!! Thanks for making a sinful delicacy a little less sinful :)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome...the jamuns look perfect, cudn't say they were baked!! Have added mava powder to my grocery lost for this week:)
ReplyDeletedefinately going to try it.
ReplyDeleteInvitation for a Potluck
Event - LGSS_Potato
Healthy and yummy. good idea.
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome !!!Definitely going to try this. Didn't know that gulab jamuns can be baked.
ReplyDeleteSounds tempting and delicious.. thanks for the nice idea dear :)
ReplyDeleteyummy :)
Indian Cuisine
Hey anu,
ReplyDeleteYou last commented on my blog in 2009 on Pitle..i have finally uploaded the pic for the dish in 2011...look up Pitle :D Nice blog you have heere,,,love the food and the lovely wine color template that completes your passion for cooking:)
loved the idea of baking for gulab jamun....
ReplyDeleteGlad to follow ur lovely blog
http://www.panchamrutham.blogspot.com/
wow , tats a gr8 idea. they look yummy :)
ReplyDeleteLoved this baked version. Will surely try it.
ReplyDeleteWow Divya.. Looks yummy.. baked version of my fav dessert is so inviting.
ReplyDeleteDivya this is a brilliant idea and it has turned out beautifully! And perfect timing, since I was planning to make jamuns sometime soon, will surely give this a try:-)
ReplyDeletegulab jamun is one of my favourites anytime...delicious!
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks so delish! +slurp!+
ReplyDeleteWow! this is superb! A healthy version of jamuns..You have a real variety of recipes. Loved the baked idlis too..Quite innovative.
ReplyDeleteHappy to follow u..
Brilliant idea and such golden delicious jamuns too!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea and such golden moist jamuns!! Awesome
ReplyDeleteWow!Baking Jamuns, I never heard of them. Sure shall give a try
ReplyDeleteI've just tried your recipe and was a big hit. Thanks for the great recipe.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! (well welcome back to me too to the world of food blog reading :P) It was such a pleasant surprise to run into so many yummy, healthy updates from you. The only problem - now I am stressed when will i be able to try all these out :)
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to try the awesome baked jamuns especially Diwali season upon us. I make Jamuns from scratch (same ingredients) but fry them, my husband always discourages me to replace frying with baking in any traditional Indian recipe, but nobody can keep me from trying this one.
If you get around trying baked dahi vadas that would be super-awesome too :P
Take care and keep posting!
-Purvi
haey i tried this baking jamuns with instant mix and came out very well.thx for this idea...quick and yummy..
ReplyDeleteFantastic, very nice. Just tried it, I cant believe gulab jamun without all the frying
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea :) Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletevery innovative and delicious..
ReplyDeletePerfect and happy to follow you :-)
Do drop by my space and I would love if you follow my space too...
-Ongoing Event- Christmas Delicacy(15Nov-31Dec 2011)
it looks like there is saffron in the pictures but it isn't listed in the recipe ingredients... pls update.
ReplyDelete@Anon - Updated, thanks for pointing out.
ReplyDeleteWhat is Khova powder/Mava powder?
ReplyDelete