Gulab Jamun - Sweet Indian Fritters - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2/3 cup skim milk powder
1 1/2 tbsp butter, diced
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch None ground cardamom
2 1/4 lb ghee (or vegetable oil)
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation

Rub the milk powder and butter together until it resembles fine bread crumbs. Mix in the flour, baking powder, cardamom and 1/2 cup of water to form a smooth, stiff dough. Wrap the dough in foil and leave to rest for 3 hours.
In a heavy saucepan, preheat the oil to 350\u00b0F, or until it shimmers. Unwrap the dough and divide into pieces. Roll out each piece on a lightly floured work surface. Pull off walnut-sized pieces, sprinkle with water and roll into balls.
Place 1 1/4 cups of water and the sugar in a pan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and leave to stand for 10 mins. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Lower the balls into the hot oil in batches. Allow them to sink to the bottom of the pan, they will rise by themselves. Fry for 3-4 mins, turning. They should be golden brown. Carefully remove using a slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels and pat off the excess oil using more paper towels.
Place the warm syrup in a serving bowl and lower in the fritters. Leave to stand for at least 30 mins (1-2 hours is preferable).