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Two kala jamuns on a white plate
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Kala Jamuns

A denser, richer version of the Gulab Jamuns, an Indian sweet(doughnuts soaked in flavored syrup) 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian, Vegan
Keyword: Indian dessert, sugar syrup, vegan dessert
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

Sugar Syrup:

  • 6-7 Tablespoons Raw sugar raw sugar is sweeter than regular white varieties and makes a brown-ish syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • pinch of cardamom powder
  • rose essence or rose water to taste or a few strands of saffron.

Fried version

  • 3 Tablespoons ground Oats
  • 2 Tablespoons nuts ground I use 1 Tbsp cashew 1 Tbsp almond.
  • 2 tablespoons flour whole wheat or all purpose or both
  • 1 Tablespoon ground raw sugar 1 Tablespoon more for sweeter spiral
  • a generous pinch of baking powder
  • pinch of cardamom powder
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of rock salt
  • 1 teaspoon oil I use organic canola
  • 1 Tablespoon water or almond milk
  • Oil for frying

Baked:

  • 2 Tablespoons ground Oats
  • 1 Tablespoon raw sugar ground 1 Tablespoon more for sweeter spiral
  • 1 Tablespoon ground almond or cashew
  • 1 tablespoons bread crumbs (heaping) Coarse crumbs, lightly toasted . I used home made wheat bread
  • 2 Tablespoons flour I usually use whole wheat, or half ww and half AP. ww works well for browning the balls but also makes for a crumblier version
  • A generous pinch of baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of rock salt
  • pinch of cardamom powder
  • 2 teaspoons oil I use organic Canola
  • 2 teaspoons water or almond milk
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Sugar Syrup

  • For the sugar syrup, mix all ingredients in a deep pan(also wide enough to accommodate the jamuns) and bring to a boil. Keep simmering on low-medium till the syrup thickens a little(5-6 minutes). Add a few drops of rose essence. Take off heat if your jamuns are not ready.

Fried

  • Mix all the dry ingredients well.
  • Add the oil and water/almond milk and mix. mix to make a soft dough(dough might not be smooth). Use a little flour if needed. Let the dough sit covered for 5 minutes.
  • Oil your hands, take a portion of the dough and make a 4-5 inch long rope and shape into a spiral.
  • Shallow fry on medium high heat, for 2-3 minutes each side in a thick bottom pan.(Oil should be atleast half the height of the spirals)
  • Once done, gently immerse the spirals in simmering syrup. Flip after 2-3 minutes for even absorption.
  • Serve warm!

Baked

  • Mix in all the dry ingredients well.
  • Add oil and water and knead into a soft dough. Let dough rest for 2 minutes.
  • Oil hands and shape into spirals. Place them on parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Bake at preheated 375 degrees F for 12 minutes, them flip them upside down and bake for 5-6 minutes or more for a browner version.
  • Place the jamuns in simmering syrup. Flip after a minute.
  • Then remove from syrup after 1-2 minutes when syrup has been well absorbed. (absorption time will depend on how brown and hard the baked spirals are)
  • Serve warm. Top with chopped pistachios.

Notes

Nutritional values based on one baked serving

Nutrition

Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 26mg | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.6mg