Gulab Jamun Cake

Recipe by Cook's Hideout

Gulab Jamun Cake is made with layers of cardamom flavored cake and then topped with juicy gulab jamuns and saffron, rose flavored frosting. A decadent treat for any Indian style occasions.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• (1.25l) fish stock
• 1 tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups almond milk (Unsweetened (or Soy milk))
• 2 tsps apple cider vinegar
• ⅔ cup (1.25l) fish stock (Oil)
• 1 cups sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cardamom (Ground)
• 1 cup (1.25l) fish stock (Gulab Jamun Mix)
• 1 tbsp almonds
• 1 tbsp Cashews
• 2 tsps cardamom (Ground , divided)
• 3 ~ 4 tbsps Milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 packet Oetker (Dr. Whip it (or other whip cream stabilizer or use 2tbsp instant Vanilla pudding powder))
• 2 tbsps vanilla (Instant Pudding Powder)
• 2 tbsps sugar (Confectioners)
• 1 tsp Saffron (Extract)
• 2 tsps Rose syrup
• 3 ~ 4 tbsps Almonds Pistachios (or , chopped)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2 8" round cake pans with cooking spray and line them with parchment and grease the paper with cooking spray.
2. Whisk almond milk and vinegar in a measuring cup and set aside for a few minutes to curdle.
3. Beat together the soy milk mixture, oil, sugar, vanilla in a large bowl.
4. Sift in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix until no big lumps remain.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the 2 prepared pans. Bake for 25~30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
6. I usually make the cake couple of days in advance, clingwrap it couple of times and freeze it until ready to use.
7. There are many options here. You can either buy prepared gulab jamuns from the store, make them from a mix or from scratch.
8. I used MTR gulab jamun mix to make mine.
9. Grind almonds and cashews to a fine powder. Add this to the gulab jamun mix along with 1tsp ground cardamom. Add milk a little at a time and mix and knead to form a smooth dough. Cover and set aside for 5 minutes.
10. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan; bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 5~6 minutes. Add the remaining 1tsp of ground cardamom and turn off the heat and set it aside.
11. Heat oil or ghee for deep frying the jamuns. Divide the gulab jamun dough into 18~20 little pieces. Roll them into smooth balls making sure that there are no cracks.
12. Gently slide them into the hot oil and fry on medium-low flame until they are nicely cooked through and golden brown outside. Remove with a slotted spoon and put them into the sugar syrup.
13. Let the gulab jamuns soak in the syrup for 30 minutes. Remove them from the syrup place them on a plate. Reserve the sugar syrup and refrigerate the gulab jamuns for at least 1 hour.
14. Cut the gulab jamuns in half and keep ready.
15. Chill the beaters and bowl for at least 30 minutes.
16. Pour the cold whipping cream, confectioners cream, instant pudding powder and Whip It and whip until stiff peaks form.
17. Take about ½cup of the whipped cream and add rose syrup to it. Mix gently and fill a piping bag with a small star tip in it.
18. Add saffron extract in the remaining whipped cream and stir it in gently. Fill another piping bag fit with a big star tip.
19. If the cakes are frozen, then leave them on the counter for about an hour to thaw before frosting.
20. First level the top of a cake, if needed, and set it on the cake stand. Liberally brush the cake with the reserved sugar syrup.
21. Place a dollop of saffron flavored whipped cream and spread it evenly on the cake with a spatula. Place the halved jamuns on the cake.
22. Gently place the second cake on top of the first. Liberally brush the cake with the reserved sugar syrup.
23. Cover the top with more saffron flavored whipped cream. Since I wanted the naked cake look, I left the sides 'almost' unfrosted.
24. Place the remaining halved jamuns on top. Make swirls with both saffron and rose syrup flavored whipped cream and decorate as desired. Sprinkle the chopped nuts on top.
25. Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.

View the recipe instructions at Cook's Hideout