Delicious Rasagullas served in a traditional brass bowl, perfect for festive celebrations |
"Ultimate Rasagulla Recipe: Soft, Spongy, and Perfect for Diwali Festivities"
Rasagulla/Roshogolla - Soft and Spongy Delight
Rasagulla, also known as Roshogolla, is a classic dessert made with Paneer/Chenna (Ricotta or Cottage Cheese) soaked in a light sugar syrup. This decadent sweet treat hails from the eastern parts of India, particularly West Bengal, where most milk and cream-based sweets originate. It is equally popular in Odisha and is a beloved Mishti (sweet) among Bengalis and Bangladeshis.
Rasagullas are known for their spongy texture and melt-in-your-mouth experience. While it may seem like a simple recipe with just a few ingredients, perfecting the art of making Rasagullas can be tricky. I’ve had my fair share of challenges, resulting in tough and chewy dumplings. Yet, my love for fresh homemade Paneer kept drawing me back to try again. After numerous attempts and some tips from a helpful blog, I finally nailed the recipe! The result? Soft, spongy Rasagullas that are simply irresistible.
Why Homemade Paneer is Key
The quality of Paneer plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect Rasagulla texture. I highly recommend using fresh, homemade Paneer made from full-fat milk. While I haven't tried using store-bought Paneer, the texture may vary. Making Paneer at home ensures a creamy, fresh base that significantly enhances the outcome.
What is the best milk to use for making Rasagulla? Use full cream milk for the best texture. Avoid low-fat or skimmed milk, as they may not yield the desired creaminess.
Tips for Making Perfectly Soft & Spongy Rasagullas
Achieving the perfect Rasagulla is all about mastering a few key steps. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Quality of Paneer/Chenna: Always use fresh Paneer for the best results.
- Kneading Technique: Knead the Paneer thoroughly to achieve a smooth, pliable dough.
- Cover & Cook: Cover the pot while cooking the Rasagullas for even heat distribution.
- Ample Space: Make sure there is enough space in the pot for the Rasagullas to expand while cooking and soaking.
- Sugar Syrup Consistency: Use the right proportion of water to sugar to maintain a light syrup that complements the sweetness of the Rasagullas.
For more detailed explanations on each step, including cooking Rasagullas in a pressure cooker, see the step-by-step guide at the end of this post.
Try More Diwali Recipes: Looking for more festive treats? Explore our collection of Delicious Diwali Recipes and find quick and easy ideas to make your celebrations extra special!
Rasagulla Recipe Overview:
- Cuisine - Bengali (Indian, Bangladeshi)
- Recipe Type - Sweet, Dessert
- Difficulty - Medium
- Yields - 10-12 Medium Sized Rasagullas
- Author - SM
Total Cooking Time:
- Preparation Time - 15–20 Minutes
- Cooking Time - 45 Minutes - 1 Hour
- Soaking Time - 25–30 Minutes or up to 1 Hour
If you're short on time, don’t worry! There are also instant versions of Indian Sweets and Savories you can whip up quickly for last-minute celebrations.
Enjoy Food and Wishing you all a Happy Diwali!!!
"Mouthwatering Rasagullas: Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Soft, Spongy Perfection"
Soft and spongy Rasagullas, garnished with saffron and pistachios, ready to enjoy |
Rasagulla Recipe
Ingredients:
For Rasagullas:
- Paneer/Chenna: 1 Cup
For Sugar Syrup:
- Sugar: 1/2 Cup
- Water: 1 1/2 Cups
- Cardamom: 1 No.
- Kewra Essence/Rose Water: a Drop (Optional)
To Garnish:
- Pistachios: A Few (Optional)
- Saffron Strands: A Few (Optional)
For more tips on Homemade Paneer, click here.
Method
For Rasagulla:
- Crumble the Paneer/Chenna and knead it into a soft dough.
- Use your fingers and the heels of your palms to knead the Paneer until some ghee/oil seeps out.
- Alternatively, give the crumbled Paneer a quick pulse in a mixer grinder for 30-45 seconds.
- Ensure there are no lumps or solids in the Paneer.
- Knead for about 10-15 minutes or until you achieve a smooth and non-sticky dough.
- Pinch small portions out of the Paneer dough, shape into small balls, and set aside.
For Sugar Syrup:
- Dissolve Sugar in Water with Cardamom Powder. Boil until you have a thin syrup.
- Gently drop the Paneer Balls into the syrup and cover the saucepan with a lid.
- Cook undisturbed for about 30-35 minutes, or until the Paneer Balls double in size.
- Check if cooked: Press with the back of a spoon; if it springs back, it's ready. Alternatively, drop a Rasagulla into water—if it sinks, it’s perfectly cooked.
- If not cooked, continue for a few more minutes.
- Turn off the flame and let sit for 25-30 minutes to an hour with the lid on.
- Serve Rasagullas warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
- Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy as is or with Rabri/Rabdi for a delightful dessert called Rasmalai.
For a delicious twist, try making Rasmalai using your homemade Rasagulla and Rabdi! Click the links for the recipe!
Rasagullas soaked in sugar syrup, presented with elegant traditional style |
Notes & Tips For perfect Soft & Spongy Rasagullas
*Quality of Paneer/Chenna
- Use Fresh Paneer: Always opt for fresh, high-quality Paneer, preferably homemade, made from full cream milk.
- Curdling: Boil the milk before adding the acidic agent (lemon juice or vinegar) to curdle. Do not boil the milk again after adding the acidic agent.
- Ice Cubes: Add ice cubes after curdling to halt further curdling, preventing chewy Rasagullas.
- Thorough Washing: Wash the Paneer well to eliminate any acidic taste, then drain and tie it in a Muslin cloth to remove excess water.
- Hanging Time: Hang the Paneer for 4-5 hours—it should remain slightly moist and crumbly, not dry or watery.
Can I use store-bought Paneer for Rasagullas? While you can use store-bought Paneer, Homemade Paneer usually yields softer and spongier Rasagullas.
*Importance of Moisture in Paneer
- Too Dry Paneer: If the Paneer is too dry, the Rasagullas will become tough and dry, ruining their texture.
- Watery Paneer: If the Paneer is too watery or if excess water has not drained well, the Rasagullas may break and scatter into the syrup during cooking.
*Kneading the Paneer
- Kneading: This is crucial for soft Rasagullas. Knead with fingers and palms until ghee/oil seeps out or pulse in a blender for 30-45 seconds.
- No Lumps: Ensure there are no lumps, kneading for 10-15 minutes until smooth and non-sticky.
- Forming Balls: Pinch small portions and roll into balls without cracks.
*For Sugar Syrup
- Adjust Sweetness: Modify the sugar quantity to your taste—1/2 cup of sugar to 1.5 cups of water is recommended for mildly sweet Rasagullas.
- Flavourings: Adding cardamom or rose/kewra essence is optional but enhances aroma. Boil until thin sugar syrup forms.
- Cooking Space: Use a wide pan to allow Rasagullas to expand without crowding, ensuring they retain their shape.
Pro Tip: If the sugar syrup is thick, the Rasagullas may not get well soaked.
For Cooking Rasagullas
Choose the Right Pot:
- Choose a wide and big saucepan with a tight lid for cooking Rasagullas and sugar syrup.
- There should be enough space for the Rasagullas to bloat up in the sugar syrup; they will double in size.
- The saucepan should have a tight lid to cover and cook the Rasagullas.
Cooking Method:
- Alternatively, you can pressure/steam cook the Rasagullas, but keep it closed until fully cooked.
- Do not open the lid until the Rasagullas are well cooked. Opening it may alter their texture, making them chewy and hard.
Cooking Time:
- Cover and cook for about 30–35 minutes on medium flame.
- Through trial and error, perfect the cooking time; it may vary with flame and stove type.
- If unsure, drop a Rasagulla into a cup of water—if it sinks, it's perfectly cooked.
- If not cooked, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
Cooling:
- Once cooked, do not open the lid.
- Keep aside for 25–30 minutes to cool down, keeping the lid intact.
- Keeping the lid covered is the most important step while preparing Rasagullas.
Soaking:
- Soak the Rasagullas in sugar syrup for at least an hour to infuse them with sweetness and flavours.
- Cover and store Rasagullas in the refrigerator; if stored properly, they stay good for about 3-4 days or up to a week.
Pro Tip: Covering and cooking the Rasagullas properly is the key to achieving soft and spongy results!
In a Pressure Cooker
Choose the Right Pressure Cooker:
- The pressure cooker should be wide and big enough for the Rasagullas to have enough space to double in size while cooking and soaking.
- Ensure that the Rasagullas are not overcrowded and tightly packed inside the pressure cooker.
Adding the Rasagullas:
- Add the rolled paneer balls into the pressure cooker.
- Pour the sugar syrup over the paneer balls.
Covering the Cooker:
- Cover the pressure cooker with the lid and place the Pressure Regulator/Vent Weight over the vent pipe.
Cooking Process:
- Cook on a high flame for a whistle.
- Lower the flame and cook for another 4–5 whistles, or for roughly 7–8 minutes.
- Do not cook overall at a high flame; otherwise, the Rasagullas may break and scatter in the sugar syrup.
Releasing Pressure:
- Switch off the flame and allow the pressure to release.
- Leave the pressure cooker untouched for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the Rasagullas to become perfectly infused with sweetness and flavours.
Soft and spongy Rasagullas, garnished with saffron and pistachios, ready to enjoy |
Storing and Serving Suggestions
Storing Rasagullas:
- Keep it Closed: Always store Rasagullas in an airtight container to maintain their softness and prevent them from drying out.
- Avoid Temperature Changes: Do not expose Rasagullas to sudden temperature changes; this may cause them to become tough.
How do I store leftover Rasagullas?
- Refrigeration: Store Rasagullas in a covered container in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for about 3–4 days if stored properly.
Can I freeze Rasagullas?
- Storing in Freezer: Freezing Rasagullas is not recommended, as it can alter their texture. It’s best to consume them fresh or store them in the fridge. So, a Big NO NO!!!
- Storing in Freezer: Freezing Rasagullas is not recommended, as it can alter their texture. It’s best to consume them fresh or store them in the fridge. So, a Big NO NO!!!
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve Chilled or at Room Temperature: Rasagullas can be enjoyed straight from the fridge or allowed to sit at room temperature for a short while before serving.
- Garnishing: For an elegant touch, consider garnishing with chopped nuts, saffron strands, or a sprinkle of cardamom powder. This adds flavour and enhances presentation.
- Pair with Rabdi: Serve Rasagullas alongside a bowl of Rabdi for a delightful combination. You can even prepare a delicious Rasmalai using homemade Rasagullas and rabdi.
- Festive Presentation: For special occasions, serve the Rasagullas in individual bowls, drizzled with sugar syrup, and topped with your favourite garnishes.
Savour the Sweetness of Perfect Rasagullas!
Rasgullas are a beloved Indian sweet that bring joy to every celebration, from festivals to family gatherings. With a few simple tips—like using using fresh paneer (not too dry or too wet), ensuring a thin sugar syrup—you can create these delightful, soft, and spongy treats right at home.
Remember, the key to achieving the perfect Rasagullas lies in the technique: cover and cook them patiently to ensure they soak up the sweetness and flavour beautifully. By following these simple steps you can master this classic Indian sweet.
Each bite promises a burst of
sweetness that melts in your mouth, making it a perfect treat for any
occasion. These sweet, syrupy orbs are bound to impress anyone lucky enough to taste them!
For more sweet inspirations, explore our collection of Bengali Sweets and discover delights like Bengali Lyangcha, Mishti Doi, and Gulab Jamun Chum Chum to elevate your dessert table.
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