Make soft and delicious rasmalai at home step by step recipe for beginners "
What is rasmalai"
Rasmalai is one of the most loved and elegant Indian desserts, often enjoyed during festivals, weddings, and special occasions. The name “Rasmalai” comes from two words: ras meaning "juice" and malai meaning "cream." The dessert consists of soft, spongy cheese balls (rasgulas) soaked in thickened, flavored milk. Its rich, creamy taste and delicate texture make it an irresistible sweet dish. While it looks and sounds complicated, it can actually be made easily at home with a little patience and love. Let’s explore how!
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Ingredients
For the Rasgulas (cheese balls)
Full cream milk – 1 liter
Lemon juice or vinegar – 2 tablespoons (mixed with 2 tbsp water)
All-purpose flour (maida) – 1 teaspoon
Sugar – 1.5 cups
Water – 5 cups
For the sweetened milk (ras)
Full cream milk – 1 liter
Sugar – 4 tablespoons (adjust as needed)
Cardamom powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Saffron strands – a few (optional)
Chopped almonds and pistachios – for garnish
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Step 1: Making Chhena (Cottage Cheese)
Boil 1 liter of full cream milk in a heavy-bottomed pan. When it comes to a boil, turn off the heat and add lemon juice or vinegar gradually while stirring gently. You will see the milk curdle and separate into chhena (cottage cheese) and whey.
Pour the curdled milk into a muslin cloth or a fine cotton cloth to strain it. Rinse the chhena under cold running water to remove any sour taste from the lemon or vinegar. Tie the cloth and hang it for about 30 minutes so the excess water drains out completely. The chhena should be soft and slightly moist but not too dry.
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Step 2: Kneading the Chhena
Transfer the chhena to a clean flat surface or a large plate. Knead it using the palm of your hand for about 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth, soft, and free of lumps. Add 1 teaspoon of all-purpose flour and knead for another 2 minutes. This step is very important for making the rasgulas soft and spongy.
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Step 3: Shaping the Balls
Divide the smooth dough into small equal portions. Roll them gently into smooth balls without any cracks. Slightly flatten them to give them the classic rasmalai shape.
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Step 4: Cooking the Rasgulas
In a large, deep pan, boil 5 cups of water and 1.5 cups of sugar together to make a thin syrup. When the syrup is boiling vigorously, carefully drop in the flattened chhena balls one by one.
Cover the pan and cook on medium heat for about 15–18 minutes. During this time, the balls will double in size and become spongy. Once cooked, let them cool down in the syrup for a while.
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Step 5: Preparing the Sweetened Milk (Ras)
Meanwhile, boil 1 liter of full cream milk in another heavy-bottomed pan. Stir continuously so it doesn’t stick or burn at the bottom. Keep boiling until the milk reduces to half its original quantity and turns slightly thick and creamy.
Add sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron strands. Mix well and cook for another 2–3 minutes. Finally, add chopped almonds and pistachios. Turn off the heat and let the milk cool completely.
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Step 6: Combining
Remove the cooled rasgulas from the sugar syrup and gently squeeze them to remove excess syrup. Carefully place them into the prepared thickened milk.
Allow the rasgulas to soak in the milk for at least 4–5 hours in the refrigerator so that they absorb the rich flavors and become extra soft and juicy.
Serving
Serve the rasmalai chilled, garnished with extra chopped nuts and saffron strands on top. The cool, creamy taste of rasmalai makes it a perfect dessert after a heavy meal or to celebrate any festive occasion.
Tips for Perfect Rasmalai
Always use full cream milk to make chhena; it gives a rich and soft texture.
Kneading the chhena properly is the key step. Don’t skip or rush this.
The cooking syrup must be boiling properly when you add the chhena balls; otherwise, they may break or become hard.
Let the rasmalai rest long enough in the milk to soak all the flavors.
With this step-by-step guide, you can easily prepare soft, creamy, and delicious rasmalai at home that tastes just like the ones from a sweet shop —
or even better! Enjoy making and sharing this delightful Indian dessert with your family and friends. 🌼✨
