It’s because almost everybody loves Gulab Jamun.

Indeed, when it comes to the world of South Asian desserts, Gulab Jamun are not a nice-to-have, they’re imperative. A core part of the dining experience.

What does Gulab mean?

Rose. The traditional flavouring for Gulab Jamun is rosewater. Cardamom and saffron are also popular additions. I like to add all three.

The sugar syrup

When making Gulab Jamuns, the sugar syrup should be thin. If it’s too thick, the jamuns will not absorb the syrup and if it’s too thin, they will break apart. What we need is what’s called a simple syrup.

How to make simple syrup for Gulab Jamun

Bring the sugar syrup to the boil and cook for 4-5 minutes until the temperature of the syrup registers 61°C/142°F on a sugar thermometer.

Add any flavourings, stir and set aside to cool slightly before using.

The syrup should be warm when we add the jamuns.

How to serve Gulab Jamun

Serve Gulab Jamun either warm or at room temperature. For special occasions, some people like to serve their Gulab Jamun warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

To heat the Gulab Jamun, place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high power in 10 second bursts until warm. Microwaves cook from the inside out so let them cool a bit before eating.

Nobody likes a burnt tongue!

Different ways to make Gulab Jamun

There are dozens of different ways to make Gulab Jamun. This happens to be my favourite recipe.

My version uses skimmed milk powder, plain flour and semolina (sooji). This blend produces soft and spongy Gulab Jamun with a fabulous airy texture inside.

Gulab Jamun with mawa

Milk solids, or “mawa” is a traditional ingredient in Gulab Jamun recipes.

You can either buy mawa from the shop or make it at home. Shop-bought mawa is usually in the chiller section, near the paneer.

Make your own Mawa by boiling full-fat milk until all you are left with is a solid mass. This is time consuming but many people swear by it!

Gulab Jamun with cake mix

Lots of people like to make Gulab Jamun with shop-bought cake mix. The mix is made with far less liquid so it forms more of a dough than a batter. I’ve never given this one a go but if you feel brave, go for it!

Gulab Jamun with bread

Desi aunty fave! Got a loaf of leftover white bread? Blitz it up in your food processor and make Gulab Jamun. I’ve seen lots of people have success with this option, but I’ve never tried it for myself.

The final Gulab Jamuns appear to have a nice, soft texture but not the solid finish milk powder or mawa Gulab Jamuns have.

Gulab Jamun with sooji

Lots of recipes for Gulab Jamun call exclusively sooji (semolina). The result is a denser Gulab Jamun with a grainy texture.

I love the texture coarse semolina gives Gulab Jamun so choose to add a small amount of it to my milk powder and plain flour mixture.

Gulab Jamun mix

O ye old faithful. Running short on time? There are dozens of different Gulab Jamun packet mixes on Asian supermarket shelves. Mix them up according to packet instructions and have Gulab Js on the table in a flash.

Gulab Jamun with condensed milk

Some recipes call for a mixture of condensed milk and milk powder. Gulab Jamun you prepare in this way are much sweeter and caramel-like in flavour.

Perfect Gulab Jamun recipe with milk powder

My recipe calls for skimmed milk powder. It is more readily available in comparison to full-fat milk powder.

I find that using skimmed milk powder allows the cook to control the amount of fat in the mixture. This way, we can be sure our Gulab Jamun have the perfect, spongy texture inside.

Texture is everything!

I cannot reiterate this enough. When it comes to Gulab Jamun, texture is incredibly important. Even if one ingredient is out, it will throw the entire recipe.

Be sure to weigh all your ingredients using a kitchen scale for accuracy. Cup measures are subject to interpretation and don’t yield consistent results, in my opinion.

5 common Gulab Jamun mistakes

1. Incorrect ingredient weights and measures
2. Incorrect frying temperature
3. Dough not rested
4. Syrup undercooked/overcooked
5. Gulab Jamun too hard or too soft

Are they vegan?

Gulab Jamun typically contain milk-based ingredients. Milk powder and reduced milk solids are the most common additions.

However, this is not to say you can’t make vegan ones. I’m yet to test vegan Gulab Jamuns in my own kitchen.

Are they gluten free?

My recipe for Gulab Jamun contains both wheat flour and semolina, therefore this version is not gluten free.

Troubleshooting

Why are my Gulab Jamun breaking in the oil?

It’s likely the dough contains too much moisture or fat. Gulab Jamun that break whilst frying may also occur due to a very low oil temperature.

Why are my Gulab Jamun hard?

Your Gulab Jamun might be too hard due to a lack of moisture in the mixture or overcooking whilst frying.

My Gulab Jamun aren’t soaking up syrup

If you overcook jamun, they will develop a hard outer coating which prevents syrup absorption. This can also occur if the sugar syrup is too viscous.

Why do Gulab Jamun shrink in the syrup?

Undercook Gulab Jamun or fry them at too high a temperature and they will develop hollow or doughy centres. This will cause the jamuns to collapse inwards and deflate when you add them to the sugar syrup.

Sometimes they may deflate at first and then become plump and juicy after a bathe in the sugar syrup.

Why do my Gulab Jamun have cracks?

Dough not rested long enough or not enough liquid in mixture.

My Gulab Jamun fall apart in the syrup

The Gulab Jamun are too soft. Too much moisture in the dough, not fried long enough or the sugar syrup is too watery.

How to store

Immerse the Gulab Jamun in the sugar syrup and store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a month.

Can I freeze them?

Yes. Keep Gulab Jamun (in their syrup) in a freezer-safe container and defrost at room temperature. Note that the structural integrity of frozen Gulab Jamun will not be as sturdy as their fresh counterparts.

I recommend warming them before you serve.

What are the ingredients for Gulab Jamun?

Here’s a list of all the ingredients you’ll need for making my Gulab Jamun at home.

• Skimmed milk powder
• Ghee
• Coarse semolina (sooji)
• Plain flour (all-purpose flour/maida)
• Green cardamom
• Baking powder
• Full-fat milk
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Oil for frying
• Sugar
• Water
• Saffron
• Rosewater

Perfect Gulab Jamun recipe

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Perfect Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun are like the chocolate cake of Desi parties. Soft balls of fried milk & rose syrup. So delicious. Follow my simple recipe & video for beautifully melt-in-the-mouth Gulab Jamuns.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Keyword dessert, diwali, milk, mithai

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings 18

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

For the jamun:

• 200 g skimmed milk powder
• 20 g coarse semolina
• 35 g plain flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 5 green cardamom pods, seeds ground
• 1 1/2 tbsp ghee melted and cooled slightly
• 200 ml full-fat milk room temperature
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 L oil for deep frying

For the syrup:

• 600 g granulated sugar
• 600 ml water
• 15-20 saffron strands (large pinch)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp rosewater

Instructions

For the Gulab Jamun dough:

• Take skimmed milk powder in a large bowl or thali with high sides. Add plain flour, semolina, baking powder, ground cardamom seeds and salt. Mix well.
• Add melted ghee and rub the mixture together to form a coarse, breadcrumb-like texture. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together milk and lemon juice. Allow to stand for 10 minutes. Once the mixture has curdled slightly, add it to the dry ingredients. Start by making a well in the centre and then add the milk mixture a little at a time, forming a paste with your fingers from the centre and working your way outwards to incorporate more dry ingredients.
• Once all the milk mixture has been added, beat the mixture with your fingertips to form a lumpy but uniform texture. It will feel very sticky, more like a batter than a dough. This is good.
• Allow the mixture to stand, uncovered for 30 minutes. Do not mix it during this time. This resting time will give the milk powder, flour and semolina in the Gulab Jamun dough time to hydrate fully, turning from a wet batter, to a dough.

To make the sugar syrup:

• Place sugar in a large pan. Add water, lemon juice and saffron. Rub the saffron between your palms to release some of their aromas. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. The lemon juice will prevent crystallisation of the syrup. You can also use a tablespoon of liquid glucose in place of lemon juice if you like.
• Once the sugar has dissolved, stop stirring and bring the syrup to a rolling boil. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until a light syrup forms and the temperature of the syrup registers 61°C/142°F. As soon as the syrup reaches this stage, remove the pan from the heat. Cover with a lid and allow to cool for 15 minutes before adding rosewater. Stir well and keep covered until needed.

To form the Gulab Jamuns:

• Once the dough has fully hydrated, it will be a tacky, dough-like consistency. Portion the dough into 15g pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, using a very small amount of ghee to grease your hands if necessary. Ensure every ball is completely smooth and free from cracks. Set aside onto a plate.
• Repeat this process for all of the dough. You should have around 38 Gulab Jamuns.

To fry the Gulab Jamuns:

• Heat the oil in a large pan suitable for deep frying. The oil temperature should register 100°C/212°F.
• Add several Gulab Jamuns, taking care not to overcrowd the oil. Don't add too many at once as they require constant agitation. If you're not accustomed to it, they will brown unevenly. You can fry bigger batches once you get used to the frying process. Agitate the oil around the Gulab Jamun, taking care not to touch them too much with the perforated skimmer or it they will become misshapen.
• As soon as the Gulab Jamuns double in size and float to the top of the oil (after around 3 minutes), increase the oil temperature to 150°C/302°F and fry until golden brown all over. At this stage, you must keep the Gulab Jamuns moving at all times to ensure even browning. Once the Gulab Jamuns have been in the oil for around 7-8 minutes in total, they should be perfectly golden all over.
• Lift the Gulab Jamuns out of the oil and place onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb excess oil. Set aside and repeat the frying process for the remaining Gulab Jamuns. Be sure the oil temperature cools before adding subsequent batches.

To soak the Gulab Jamuns:

• Once all of the Gulab Jamuns have been fried, add them to the prepared, still warm sugar syrup. If the syrup is cold, warm it very slightly before adding the Gulab Jamuns to ensure better absorption. Immerse the Gulab Jamuns completely and allow to stand, covered for 6-8 hours. Stir from time to time to coat each one well with syrup.
• Serve either at room temperature or warm.

Video

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Perfect Jalebi

More delicious South Asian sweets

Perfect Plain White Burfi

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Check out this recipe

Vanilla Rasmalai

Soft, spongy cheese dumplings soaked in sweet vanilla, cardamom and saffron milk. Inspired by the classic Bengali dessert, this version is served chilled and the flavours are reminiscent of the Indian ice cream, kulfi.

Check out this recipe

Mohanthal and Dhilo Mohanthal

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Check out this recipe

How to Make Boondi

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Pistachio Burfi

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The post Perfect Gulab Jamun appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

Watch my Mohanthal and Dhilo Mohanthal video

What is Mohanthal?

Mohanthal, when served as a set square, is a sweet and delicious fudge made from toasted chickpea flour. The texture is grainy and meltingly short, like the lovechild of fudge and shortcrust pastry.

“Mohan” is another name for the Hindu deity, Krishna and “Thal” means plate. This dish is named after him and the saga of his sweet tooth.

What is Dhilo Mohanthal?

Dhilo Mohanthal (or Disco Mohanthal) is the hot, liquid form of Mohanthal. Serve it like hot fudge, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and chopped nuts.

The ice cream melts into a pool, partially setting the Mohanthal it touches for a hot and cold pudding like no other. The textures of Dhilo Mohanthal are out of this world.

Indeed, it’s no wonder Mohanthal is such a popular dessert at Indian weddings; Gujarati and Rajasthani weddings in particular.

Why do they call it Disco Mohanthal?

It’s a mystery! I have no idea why, but some people call Dhilo Mohanthal Disco Mohanthal. What’s to question when it sounds this fun?!

Does anybody know why? Let me know in the comments!

What does Mohanthal and Dhilo Mohanthal taste like?

A favourite during holy festivals and family celebrations, the distinct, toasty smell of Mohanthal is inimitable. It calls for liberal use of mace. Not nutmeg, but the orange-hued outer blades that cover it.

Bring the flavours of your Mohanthal to life with the addition of salt. Yes, salt.

Butter vs. Ghee

I use salty butter to make my Mohanthal. Cue the gasps of horror. Purists will tell me the only way to make Mohanthal is with ghee. I respectfully disagree.

Butter

When you toast nutty chickpea flour in fat, it screams for salt. Think salted caramel on level 2,840 of Candy Crush Saga. It’s that delicious. I make Mohanthal more than I make most Indian mithais and believe me when I say that this one is best made with butter.

Still want to use ghee?

Having said this, you can indeed use ghee if you like. If ghee is your fat of choice, be sure to add a generous pinch of salt to the toasted besan. I promise, salt will bring your Mohanthal to life.

Do I really need a cooking thermometer?

Yes. A thousand times, yes! Unless you’re a well-seasoned mithaiwallah, don’t use the “string” method to check the consistency of your sugar syrup. It might have been the done thing years ago and that’s fine. Your grandma did it, my grandma did it, and so does my mum. I bet it’s the same for you.

However, if you’re a beginner and want accurate results, invest in a cooking thermometer. You’ll save yourself a lot of hassle and wasted ingredients. They’re fairly inexpensive. Check here for my recommendations (affiliate link).

How to cut Indian Mithai

Things you need to cut any kind of set Indian sweet neatly: A sharp knife, a steady hand and lots of patience. I like to use a metal ruler, a plastering trowel and cake scraper to mark out where to cut first.

A flexible spatula helps lift the mithai from the tin. The first one or two pieces cut from the tin will usually break. It’s okay! I like to roll the broken ones into laddoos. Never have high expectations for the first pieces you wangle from the tin.

Watch my Mohanthal and Dhilo Mohanthal video to see how I cut my Indian sweets neatly and evenly.

What should I do with scraps and broken Mohanthal?

Gather up any leftover scraps from the tin and roll it into a laddoo. Of course, this is also a good way to salvage any broken Mohanthal that didn’t quite make it out of the tin in one piece.

My Mohanthal-making equipment (contains affiliate links)

Grab the full list of equipment I use to make Mohanthal at home (including pots, pans, thermometer, tin, sieve, scales, knifes and more!). Shop my Mohanthal & Mithai-Making essentials now.

Mohanthal & Dhilo Mohanthal recipe

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Mohanthal and Dhilo Mohanthal

Buttery, melt-in-the-mouth fudge made with chickpea flour, cardamom, saffron and mace. Mohanthal is such a delicious Indian sweet (mithai). Enjoy it as a square or as a hot-fudge like pudding with vanilla ice cream.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Keyword gujarati, indian sweets, mithai

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Resting time 12 hours hours

Total Time 13 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 20

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• 2 x large, heavy-based pans
• Sugar thermometer
• Wooden spoon
• Fine mesh sieve
• Large bowl
• Sharp knife
• 20cm x 25cm x 10cm-deep (8" x 10" x 4"-deep) non-stick baking tin or 23cm (9") square. You can also use a 30cm round thali (at least 7cm deep) if you prefer.
• Kitchen scale

Ingredients

For the Dhrabo (this is the bit that ensures your Mohanthal has those essential crunchy pieces):

• 320 g chickpea flour
• 1 tbsp melted ghee
• 2 tbsp full-fat milk

For the Mohanthal:

• 325 g salted butter
• 90 g full-fat milk powder
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp slivered almonds
• 2 tbsp slivered pistachios
• 1 tsp saffron
• 1 1/2 tsp ground mace
• A pinch of orange food colour optional

For the sugar syrup:

• 400 g granulated white sugar
• 300 ml water

Instructions

To make the "Dhrabo":

• Place the chickpea flour in a large bowl. Add the melted ghee and milk. Stir well and then begin to rub the mixture together using your fingertips to form a sandy-texture. This similar to how you would rub butter with flour to create a crumble. Set this aside for 30 minutes. This mixture will give the Mohanthal its' distinct grainy texture.
• Sift the "Dhrabo" mixture through the fine-mesh sieve to remove large lumps. You may need to do this in stages. Don't skip this step, it's really important to ensure the mixture is thoroughly sifted so the final texture of the Mohanthal is correct.

To cook the "Dhrabo":

• Melt the butter in a large, heavy-based pan. Add the "Dhrabo" and stir well to incorporate. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture turns from a creamy beige colour to pinkish and caramel-like in colour. This should take 8-10 minutes depending on the level of heat. Don't stop stirring the mixture at any point.
• As soon as the mixture becomes a light pinkish colour, switch the heat off. Continue to stir for a further five minutes to temper the residual heat. The mixture will be extremely hot and it will continue to cook even after you switch the heat off. This is why it's important to switch the cooker off as soon as it begins to turn caramel-like in colour. Watch my video to see these stages. Add the milk powder and stir well to combine. Allow the mixture to cool while you make the sugar syrup.

To make the sugar syrup:

• Place the sugar in a large pan. Add the water and stir to combine. Once the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar has dissolved, fit the pan with a sugar thermometer. If you're using a digital thermometer, theres no need to affix it to the pan. Don't stir the sugar syrup any more.
• Allow the sugar syrup to reach a temperature of exactly 115°C/239°F and then switch the heat off.

To flavour the Mohanthal:

• To the cooled chickpea flour and milk powder mixture, add ground cardamom, saffron, mace and optional orange food colour. Stir well to incorporate. It should now be cool or just room temperature. Note: If you add hot sugar syrup to this mixture while it's hot, it will clump up and become dry and crumbly. Always allow the chickpea flour mixture to cool.
• Very carefully, pour the hot sugar syrup into the chickpea flour mixture. Slowly begin the stir the mixture using a wooden spoon. After 2-3 minutes of stirring, it will become shiny and lava-like in appearance. The Mohanthal should have a distinct graininess which is what makes it so delicious. It is now ready to serve as Dhilo Mohanthal (loose/liquid Mohanthal).

To set the Mohanthal:

• Pour or ladle the liquid Mohanthal into a tin 20cm x 25cm x 10cm-deep (8" x 10" x 4"-deep) non-stick baking tin or 23cm (9") square. You can also use a 30cm round thali (at least 7cm deep) if you prefer. Flatten the top using a spatula and then sprinkle over some slivered almonds and pistachios.
• Allow the Mohanthal to cool to room temperature. This can take several hours.
• Once cooled, cover the tin with cling film and refrigerate for 12 hours or until completely set.
• Remove the tin from the fridge and allow to sit on the counter top for 30 minutes before cutting into pieces. I like to cut mine into approximately 2.5cm/1-inch squares using a sharp knife. If you want to be super accurate, you can score the top to create a guide before cutting all the way through. Watch the recipe video to see how I use a plastering trowel and cake scraper for super-sharp cutting.
• Enjoy the Mohanthal at room temperature, cold or hot.

To reheat set Mohanthal for Dhilo Mohanthal:

• Place a 2.5cm/1-inch square of Mohanthal into a microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 tbsp water and microwave on high power in 15 second bursts until liquid. Stir at every interval to distribute the heat evenly. Allow to cool before eating as it will be extremely hot!

Video

Notes

• It’s normal for butter to rise to the top of the set Mohanthal. This may turn opaque upon chilling. This was a highly-coveted result in more traditional times because many people didn’t have fridges to preserve their mithai. The layer of fat will help keep this Mohanthal fresh for weeks when stored (covered) in the fridge.
• Store the Mohanthal in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Cookie Dough Chocolate Burfi

The post Mohanthal and Dhilo Mohanthal appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

What is Rasmalai?

Rasmalai is one of the most famous of Bengal’s desserts. Made from pieces of chhena (another name for soft, homemade paneer), you knead it until smooth, divide into balls, boil in sugar syrup and then finally, soak in saffron and cardamom milk (masala doodh). Wanna hear why it’s so magical? Without any additional ingredients or raising agents, the chhena balls inflate to double their original size and take on a ridiculous, puffy, spongy texture. They are made to soak up sweet masala doodh.

Vanilla Rasmalai

Vanilla Rasmalai are soft, spongy cheese dumplings soaked in sweet vanilla, cardamom and saffron milk. Inspired by the classic Bengali dessert, this version is served chilled and the flavours are reminiscent of the Indian ice cream, kulfi.

Like many, I grew up eating ready-made Rasmalai from a box. The mere thought of making my own cheese, boiling it in sugar syrup and then leaving it to soak for eight hours seemed like an impossible task. When I was 12, I had my first taste of my mother’s Rasmalai recipe she learned from her father. Many of you will know that he was a confectioner and made incredible versions of all the classic Indian sweets. I quickly fell in love with her liberal use of vanilla.

Why vanilla?

These homemade Rasmalais have a beautifully-scented masala doodh. Together, they taste like if my favourite vanilla ice cream and kulfi had a Rasmalai-shaped baby! Since then, homemade Rasmalai has always won over the watered-down shop-bought version.

Tips and tricks for making perfect Rasmalai

How to serve Vanilla Rasmalai

Chill the Rasmalai in the fridge for 8-10 hours. This is because resting will give the flavours a chance to develop and the chhena patties to absorb the masala doodh. The result will be spongy, soft Rasmalai that keeps its’ shape beautifully.

Serve the Rasmalai cold, straight from the fridge for a gorgeous dessert following an Indian meal. This is a popular choice at Indian wedding banquets.

Allergies

This Rasmalai is suitable for those with gluten-free diets. However, many commercial brands of milk powder are manufactured alongside wheat and other flours in flour mills, so please check packaging if you are using milk powder and/or are preparing this for someone with a severe wheat or gluten allergy. Similarly, this applies for those with a soy or nut allergy.

Ingredients you’ll need to make Vanilla Rasmalai

• Full-fat milk
• Double cream
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla pod
• Green cardamom pods
• Saffron
• Lemon juice
• Water
• Ice
• Cornflour (cornstarch), not cornmeal
• Almonds
• Pistachios
• Dried rose petals (optional)
• Edible gold/silver (optional)
• Any flavourless oil

Special equipment

Finally, my recipe requires the use of a sugar thermometer. I use this one, however you can use any that gives an accurate reading for your sugar syrup.

Print

Vanilla Rasmalai

Soft, spongy cheese dumplings soaked in sweet vanilla, cardamom and saffron milk. Inspired by the classic Bengali dessert, this version is served chilled and the flavours are reminiscent of the Indian ice cream, kulfi.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Keyword cardamom, cheese, milk, paneer, saffron, vanilla

Prep Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Resting time 8 hours hours

Total Time 11 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings 24 pieces

Equipment

• Cheesecloth or muslin
• Colander
• Sugar thermometer or food thermometer
• 3 x large saucepans
• Sieve
• Weights, cans or cheese press
• Slotted spoon

Ingredients

For the masala doodh:

• 1 L full-fat milk
• 300 ml double cream
• 40 g granulated sugar
• 1 whole vanilla pod split and scraped (reserve the pod)
• 4 green cardamom pods seeds crushed
• 1 small pinch saffron 8-10 strands

For the chhena:

• 2 L full-fat milk
• 2 tbsp lemon juice mixed with 1 tbsp water
• 1 L ice water

For the sugar syrup:

• 2 L water
• 500 g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water

You will also need:

• 1 L ice water
• 1 tbsp slivered almonds
• 1 tbsp slivered pistachios
• 8-10 dried rose petals to garnish (optional)
• Edible gold/silver to garnish (optional)
• 1/2 tsp oil for greasing the base of the pan used for boiling the milk for malai pieces

Instructions

For the masala doodh:

• Pour the milk and cream into a large, heavy-based saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the sugar, vanilla beans and pod, saffron and ground cardamom seeds. Bring to a boil and turn the heat down to low.
• Allow to simmer, uncovered until reduced by half, about 40 minutes. Stir often to avoid the milk burning on the base of the pan. Once reduced, remove from the heat, cover with a lid and set aside.
• When cool, strain the masala doodh to remove any skin that may have formed during the boiling process and the vanilla pod. You can pop any saffron back into the milk. Stir in the almonds and pistachios. This step might seem over the top but I promise it will make a huge difference to the finished dessert. Those excess pieces of malai from boiling the milk can really affect the finish of the Rasmalai.

For the chhena:

• Rub the base of a large, heavy-based pan with 1/2 tsp oil. This makes cleaning up much easier later on. Pour the milk into the pan and bring to a full boil.
• Switch the heat off and add the lemon and water mixture a tablespoon at a time, stirring briefly between each addition until the milk curdles. Once the curds have separated from the whey, add the ice water to stop the cooking process. Allow to stand for 5 minutes.
• Line a colander with muslin or cheesecloth and place it in the sink. If you’d like to reserve the whey for another recipe later, you can place the colander in a large bowl to catch the drained liquid. Alternatively, let it drain away.
• Carefully pour the mixture into the lined colander. Remove the bowl from under the colander (if using). Rinse the curds under cold, running water to remove any sourness from the vinegar.
• Gather the corners of the cloth and twist to enclose the curds. Gently twist the cloth to remove excess moisture. Place the bundle back inside the colander resting on a plate or bowl. Apply approximately 1kg of pressure on top of bundle. You can use 3-4 tins of beans or a pan of water. Anything stable that will be heavy enough to press out excess whey. Allow to press for 30 minutes.
• NOTE: Because you rubbed the base of the pan with oil prior to starting, any milk that settled and burned on the base of the pan will lift away easily so you don’t have to spend ages scrubbing it.

For the sugar syrup:

• In a large, deep saucepan combine the water, sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Clip a sugar thermometer to the side to the saucepan. Allow to boil until the syrup reaches “thread” consistency (105C/220F). Turn the heat down to very low and cover with a lid.

To make the malai pieces (rasgulla) from chhena:

• Remove the weights from on top of the chenna bundle and unwrap. Place the chenna onto a large, clean work surface. Dab with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
• Break the chenna into rough pieces and begin to knead it with your hand. Use the heel of your palm to spread the chenna as thinly as possible against the work surface, using a long, sliding motion. Apply pressure to press out all graininess and gather the mixture together again. Repeat this action 40-50 times until all traces of graininess have disappeared and the chenna is smooth. It should take 10-12 minutes. It should be soft and smooth, not grainy or greasy.
• Divide the chenna into 24 pieces. Lightly oil your hands and roll into balls, pressing against your palms to ensure the ball is smooth and crack free. Lightly press to form a disc or patty, about 3cm in diameter. Repeat for all the pieces.

To cook the malai pieces:

• Bring the syrup back to a rolling boil. Add the cornflour and water slurry and stir briefly. Next, carefully drop 6 malai discs into the hot syrup. Don’t overcrowd the pan as the pieces will inflate (double or triple in size during the cooking process). Place the lid back on and return the lid to the pan.
• Boil hard for 15 minutes until the malai pieces have doubled in size. Keep a kettle or separate pan of hot water aside and ladle hot water into the pan every 5 minutes during cooking. This will ensure the sugar syrup remains at the same consistency. If the malai pieces are turning dark, the syrup is too concentrated. Add hot water and bring it back to the correct temperature.
• Once 15 minutes are up, turn the heat down and remove the cooked rasgullas with a slotted spoon and drain excess syrup. Place it in a bowl of ice water immediately to stop the cooking process. Allow to sit in the water for 3 minutes and then very gently, press each piece between your palms to remove excess liquid and to flatten it very slightly.
• Slide each rasgulla into the masala doodh. They are now Rasmalai.
• Repeat the process above for the remaining three batches of malai. Ensure the sugar syrup is the correct consistency throughout by adding more water at regular 5 minute intervals during the boiling process. Use a timer!
• Once all the pieces have been added to the masala doodh, cover the pan and refrigerate for 8-10 hours for the malai pieces to absorb the masala doodh. Garnish with the optional dried rose petals and edible gold/silver leaf.

Notes

The Rasmalai can be kept in the fridge for up to a week.

This Rasmalai is not suitable for freezing.

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If you like Vanilla Rasmalai, you’ll love this Pistachio Burfi

Love Sanjana

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It all starts with a freshly-made batch of masala coffee — let’s be honest, every great moment starts (and ends) with a hot drink, right? The warmth of the cup around clasped hands, inhaling steamy aromas and waiting for it to cool just enough so we can take a sip gives us time to chat with a friend or quietly contemplate alone. It soothes the soul and allows us to stop and do nothing for a moment during our busy days. Having a hot drink is like having a spa treatment for the soul.

Whenever I feel burned out, I rely on a cup of masala coffee with my mum to lift my mood. She makes it milky and sweet, with just the right amount of spice to compliment the aroma of good coffee. It’s made in a pan on the stove, like all good masala coffee and chai should be made. We boil it low and slow for at least 15 minutes for a truly authentic Indian taste. We’ll sit, chat, snack and laugh, melting away my stresses and brightening up my day.

This cake is inspired by those moments.

Be still my beating heart

My version of New Jersey crumb cake has extra-thick cinnamon sugar crumb topping, so the ratio of crumb to cake is almost 1:1. It gives you the best of both worlds when you can’t decide whether to have cake or biscuits with your cup of coffee. The sponge cake is rises perfectly and is full of rich coffee and spices. You won’t miss the dairy or eggs in this recipe, I promise you.

The spice blend: Vegan Masala Coffee Crumb Cake

My spice blend is very typical of what is traditionally added to boiling milk to make masala chai or coffee. Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black peppercorns, cloves and nutmeg all combine with espresso powder. This makes each slice truly taste like a cup of masala coffee. It’s not too sweet and the flurry of icing sugar on top is absolutely necessary. This balances out the flavours and create the perfect look of a milky cup of coffee. As a result the cake is as delicious as it is messy to eat.

Make this if you’re in need of a grown-up tasting cake to share with friends. Or enjoy in the comfort of your own company, you know, whatever. It freezes beautifully so you can also stow away portions to eat later.

Customise this Vegan Masala Coffee Crumb Cake

• Transform this cake into a chocolate dream! Simply replace 50g of the flour in the sponge recipe with 50g good-quality cocoa powder.
• Add 50g mini vegan chocolate chips to the crumb topping for a cookie dough-inspired finish. Or turn this into a masala chai cake. Swap the espresso powder for 25g black tea leaves — be sure to strain the soy milk before using.
• If you have pre-made chai masala, swap the individual spices in the sponge recipe for 1 tablespoon of pre-made masala.
• Alternatively, you could also use 1 tablespoon of your favourite gingerbread or pumpkin spice mix.

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Print

Vegan Masala Coffee Crumb Cake

Piled high with cinnamon crumble, this masala coffee-spiced cake truly tastes like a cup of Indian masala coffee.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Indian

Keyword cake, coffee, vegan

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings 16

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

For the crumb topping:

• 225 g plain flour
• 125 g soft light brown sugar
• 85 g caster sugar
• 100 g vegan butter melted and warm
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp fine salt

For the sponge:

• 225 g sponge flour/cake flour
• 160 g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 3 tbsp instant espresso powder (if using granules, crush to a powder before using)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp fine salt
• 100 g vegan butter melted and warm
• 300 ml soy milk
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

You will also need:

• 60 g icing sugar for dusting

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 160°C/320°F. Grease and line a 20-cm/8-inch round, 7-cm/3-inch deep springform or loose-bottomed tin with baking parchment.

For the crumb topping:

• Place both sugars and the melted vegan butter in a bowl. Stir well until smooth, about a minute. Add the flour and ground cinnamon. Use your fingers to rub the vegan butter and flour together until you have a coarse and pebbly mixture like if you were making a fruit crumble topping. Set aside at room temperature.

For the sponge:

• To make the cake, whisk together the flour, sugar, cornflour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, espresso powder and ground spices in a large bowl. Add the melted vegan butter and again, rub the dry ingredients with the butter to form a coarse, breadcrumb-like texture.
• Add in the soy milk and whisk well until smooth. Finally, add the apple cider vinegar and whisk well one last time.
• Pour the cake mix into the tin and top with the prepared crumb topping, starting at the edges and working your way to the centre to prevent it sinking in too much.
• Bake in the middle shelf of a preheated oven for 75 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in the tin. Run a knife around the outside of the tin before releasing. Sift lots of icing sugar over the top and serve with your favourite hot drink.

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Psst… if you like this Vegan Masala Coffee Crumb Cake, you’ll LOVE these Baked Vegan Vanilla Doughnuts.

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If you’ve ever stepped inside an Indian sweet shop you’ll be able to appreciate how much thought, heart and family history goes in to the spectacular arrangements of sweet stuff on display. Clue: the good ones almost always have the most tattered sign outside, as well as the longest queue to get in. Squares of milk fudge, diamond-shaped halwas and nut-studded pastry rolls adorned with warq (silver leaf) are majestic enough to transport you to the palaces of ancient India.

One of my favourite Indian sweets has to be Mohanthal – a rich, crunchy milk fudge made with chickpea flour, also known as besan. It’s traditonally spiced with cardamom, mace and saffron but here I’ve added a salted caramel twist because let’s be frank, who doesn’t love salted caramel?

Side note: there are plenty of varieties of vegetarian gold and silver leaf available now. I say this because there have been a tonne of internet rumours floating around claiming that all silver and gold leaf is made using non-veggie processes (I’ll spare you the details) but you don’t need me to tell you not to believe everything you read online, eh? If you’re not sure just ask in the shop. The good ones will show you the packaging from the one they use.

Mohanthal can be served in two ways: In pieces like the kind here, or loose as a lava-like liquid gold you scoop up with a spoon and nothing more. The liquid kind is is fondly known as Disco Mohanthal (which sounds just as fun as it is delicious). There’s a time and a place for both. I’ve set this Salted Caramel Mohanthal into crunchy fudge pieces but the addition of sweet caramel also means it is ridiculously good as bubbling Disco Mohanthal.

This is a pretty special recipe, guys. It’s a labour of love and is a very traditional way of making Mohanthal (no shortcuts with gum Arabic or goondh), the way a true Indian confectioner would make it – my only tweak is the addition of salted caramel. Don’t shy away because of the different steps. Indian sweet making is a beautiful, highly-specialised process which takes time and patience to master. Perseverance is key and once you’ve had a go and tasted your first batch, you’ll be hooked.

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Love Sanjana

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I’m truly comforted if the steam is robust enough to reach my nostrils quickly, the familiar smell bringing instant comfort. When it’s warm enough to hold, I like to clutch the mug with both hands, tight enough to feel my arms tense up a bit, rather like embracing an old friend.

That goes back to the days I’d refuse to go to bed until I’d had a mug of saffron, cardamom and almond milk. Yorkshire diva. It was a treat reserved for special occasions or following on from particularly terrifying nightmares.

I’d watch my mum preparing it, her skilled hands flaking each almond, one at a time. She’d then use a brass pestle and mortar to bash a cardamom pod with the satisfying clang, not unlike the sound of a temple bell ringing after arti.

The Spanish saffron strands would stain the warm milk a sort of daffodil yellow, making it appear rich and luxurious, like clotted jersey cream. Once simmered together, the kitchen would be filled with the sweetest smell which in itself was soothing enough to send me to the land of nod, even before it reached my lips.

Milo love

Another hot drink I fell in love with at a young age was that old classic, Milo. I had my first taste aged four in Mombasa, Kenya. All us cousins would have hot Milo made for us at breakfast and before bed and Milo time was my favourite time of the day.

Some of us were such fans that the granules were good enough to be munched straight up, by the spoonful.  And when I say some of us, I mean me.

That faux choco malt flavour tastes like all the comforts of home. It’s sweet but not overly so and somehow you feel like you’re replenishing your body’s energy stores with it.

Just as well too because we used to spend a hell of a lot of time running around the agasi (roof terrace), throwing things down below and shouting for the man from the shop across the road to fetch us the bubblegum that had stickers under the wrapper.

But I had to grow up from being that Milo-drinking, bubblegum-chewing kid from the roof one day. Now I’m preparing to welcome a fresh new little person into the world and quite soon I’ll be the one preparing those warm bedtime beverages.

So this post is an ode to the old times of being comforted and feeling loved throughout my entire childhood. I’m ready to pay it forward to someone else now. And what better way to celebrate them than with a cake that has all the flavours of Milo?

Baby Feasts. Due April 2018.

Eggless Malted Chocolate Whipped Ganache Cake
Makes one 3-layer, 10-inch cake

Ingredients:

700g plain flour
510g caster sugar
150g cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
180ml buttermilk
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
6 tbsp Milo dissolved in 320ml hot water
300ml sunflower oil
1 tsp salt

For the whipped ganache:
450g dark chocolate, chopped
450g double cream
3 tbsp malt extract
Pinch of salt

Dark and white chocolate curls, to decorate

Method:

1. For the chocolate cake, preheat oven to 160C and butter and line three 20cm diameter cake tins with baking paper. Whisk together all the dry ingredients. Combine all the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Whisk until smooth. Divide among prepared tins, bake until a skewer inserted comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool in the tins for 10 minutes, loosen around the edges with a knife and turn onto wire racks to cool completely.

2. For the whipped ganache frosting, heat the cream in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Add the malt extract and chopped chocolate. Stir gently until melted and smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature and then cover and refrigerate until it has thickened slightly but is still soft. Beat with an electric whisk until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. It will become paler in colour, too. Use immediately.

3. Trim the cakes if the tops have domed a little. Sandwich each layer with the whipped ganache frosting. Spread the frosting on the outside and smooth out. I used a Wilton 1M open star tip for the ruffled swirls on top. Decorate with chocolate curls.

Love Sanjana + bump

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Ever since I heard about the South African Melktert (Milk Tart) I knew I had to try it. It’s creamy, custardy and packed with delicious cinnamon flavours on top of a shortcrust pastry base. What’s not to love?

Much like a British custard tart, the Melktert is made with egg yolks for that famous custard-like wobble. As you know, yolks are not my setting agent of choice – I’m going rogue and using my own blend of cornflour (cornstarch) and wheat flour blended with milk.

I was inspired by Paul Hollywood’s show City Bakes on Food Network, where he makes an Earl Grey Melktert in Cape Town. The show is fantastic and you can watch the episode tonight, 15^th May on Food Network. Give it a watch and try out a take on the famous Melktert.

Since it began, I’ve boycotted the rise of the turmeric milk fad that seems to have infiltrated every coffee shop and café in sight. It should be simple, a feel-good tonic to make you feel better after a rough day, not flashy, expensive and inaccessible. After all, the ingredients are basic. Haldi Doodh is a healing tonic Indian mums stir up for children when they’ve got sore throats and coughs. As a natural antiseptic, turmeric (either fresh or dried and ground) was always in the kitchen. As a child I would reluctantly down mugs of hot Haldi Doodh because it didn’t taste like the banana milkshake I’d hoped for it to be. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t Nesquick. As much as I now love haldi doodh and the soothing properties it carries, I don’t believe in paying a shed load for it when I can make it at home.

The beautiful thing is that when fresh turmeric is combined with milk, cardamom and black pepper, you get the most miraculous flavour and aroma of fresh mango. Just a little bit, not too much, blitzed with the milk for a pretty yellow colour. Once cooked, the colours will transform from daffodil to deep amber.

This tart is as sweet and flaky as it is fruity, spicy and ever so slightly bitter. Each element is perfectly balanced, just how I like it.

Eggless Turmeric Milk Tart
Serves 8-10

Ingredients

For the sweet pastry:
240g flour
140g unsalted butter, frozen and grated whilst still frozen (this helps incorporate it faster and keeps everything cold)
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp cold water

For the turmeric milk filling:
415g evaporated milk
395g can condensed milk
50ml whole milk
3cm piece turmeric, peeled (this will stain so wear gloves!)
3 cardamom pods, seeds lightly crushed
6-8 black peppercorns, seeds lightly crushed
1 tsp vanilla extract
40g flour
40g cornflour
50g salted butter
Ground cinnamon to dust

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.

2. To make the pastry, place the flour, salt and brown sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Add the grated butter and pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the cold water and pulse until the mixture just comes together. Wrap the dough in cling film and allow to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.

3. Take a 25 x 3.5cm loose bottomed tart in with fluted edges. Roll the pastry out to about 35cm wide, 4mm thick. This will ensure you have enough overhang at the edges. Place the roll dough into the tin and allow it to hang over the sides. Use a spare ball of dough to gently press the dough into the corners and sides to line the tin. Don’t worry if you make a tear, just patch it up.

4. Place a piece of greaseproof paper over the dough and fill with baking beans, rice or any dried lentils you have. Bake for 10 minutes.

5. Carefully remove the baking beans, greaseproof paper and prick the pastry all over with a fork. Turn the oven down to 120°C and bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and dries out completely.

6. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Put the oven back up to 160°C

7. To make the filling, place the flour and cornflour into a large bowl. Add 50ml whole milk and stir to make a thick paste.

8. Place the evaporated milk in a blender (I used a Nutribullet), and add in the fresh turmeric, cardamom, peppercorns, vanilla and condensed milk. Blend until super smooth, about a minute.

9. Slowly whisk the evaporated milk mixture into the flour paste until smooth. Pour the mixture into a pan and cook on a medium-low heat until slightly thickened (think cheese sauce consistency). Add the butter and whisk.

10. Pass the mixture through a sieve and into a jug to remove any lumps.

11. Place the tart shell on a baking tray and place it in the oven. Pull the shelf out and pour the filling into the shell. Push the shelf back in gently and close the oven door. Bake for 30 minutes.

12. Crack the oven door open and allow the tart to cool in the oven.

13. Dust the tart with ground cinnamon and decorate as you wish. Serve warm.

Love Sanjana

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So beautiful, yet nigh on impossible without egg whites which somehow, when whipped up, have more volume than Claudia Schiffer’s barnet in a L’Oréal Elnett ad.

Well that’s what I always thought… until now.

The protein in egg whites allows the air bubbles created by lots of whipping to be held. Sugar dissolves into these proteins and bonds with them. The water in sugar helps increases their strength and elasticity, allowing even more air to be trapped and held sturdy. There’s nothing quite like a stiff peak.

Without the strong proteins present in egg whites to kick the meringue process off, all you’re left with is sugar. What can vegans and those who abstain from eating eggs use instead? Fear not, we no longer need to be oblivious to the sheer joy desserts like Eton Mess, French Macarons and Pavlova can bring.

Want to know the most frustrating thing about all of this? The answer has been staring us in the face the whole time.

The secret to replacing egg whites is chickpea water. Nope, I haven’t lost the plot. It really is the water we throw down the drain when we’re making our Channa Masala and Falafel. I almost slapped myself across the face when I found out. Mind. Blown.

I stumbled upon the chickpea water trick through my awesome, creative mum and later, the aquafaba website which was created off the back of a development group of very clever vegans on Facebook. It’s taken the vegan world by storm. From Lemon Meringue Pie to Baked Alaska, this makes almost every meringue-based dessert possible and I can’t wait to try more recipes with it. And share them with you, of course.

BTW, you can’t taste chickpeas in the finished dessert AT ALL. Not one bit.

My first flavour experiments led me to create these very simple Vegan Saffron, Strawberry and Lime Meringue Nests. They’re beautifully-crisp on the outside, slightly spongy and marshmallowy in the middle and they totally melt in your mouth.

The chickpea water is whipped with cream of tartar, saffron and sugar until stiff and glossy. This takes about 8 minutes in a stand mixer. So quick.

Many meringue recipes call for vinegar, lemon juice, or cream of tartar to increase the foam’s acidity, which promotes the growth and stability of a meringue. You can use any of them.

These are then piped onto a baking sheet and baked in a very low oven for a few hours until they’re totally dry and peel away from the paper easily. The key here is patience. Give these beauties time.

While they were baking, I macerated strawberries in lime juice, zest and a touch of icing sugar. To assemble, I filled them with whipped coconut cream and topped with the strawberries. I love strawberry mojitos and these are like a gorgeously-tall glass of iced strawberry mojito in dessert form.

You can use this recipe to make a large pavlova too – just add a teaspoon of cornflour to the meringue mixture and bake for 90 minutes longer.

Watch my YouTube tutorial for how to make these right here. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Vegan Saffron, Strawberry and Lime Meringue Nests
(Makes 18 nests or one super large pavlova)

Ingredients

For the Vegan Meringue:
1 x 400g tin chickpeas in water –not brine or salted water (you can also use other white beans – butter beans also worked for me)
140g icing sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 large pinch of saffron
½ tsp vanilla extract (make sure it’s not oil based!)
Yellow gel food colour (optional) 

For the Strawberries:
600g strawberries
1 lime, juice and zest
1 tbsp icing sugar

For the Whipped Coconut Cream:
2 x 400ml full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
2 tbsp icing sugar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 100C. Line three large baking trays with greaseproof paper.

2. Drain the chickpeas and reserve the water. Put the chickpeas in a container and use it to make Channa Masala or Hummus later.

3. Pour the chickpea water into the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the balloon whisk attachment. Make sure your bowl is really clean and grease free. Any oil could cause your meringue to deflate.

4. Whisk on a high speed for 4 minutes. Gradually add the sugar and continue to beat. During this time, add the cream of tartar, vanilla and saffron. Once your meringues have reached a really stiff glossy peak stage, add a little bit of yellow food colour if you like. Whip until evenly incorporated.

5. Fit a piping bag with a large star-tipped nozzle and spoon in your meringue. You might have to do it in batches if it doesn’t fit. Shake to remove any large air pockets.

6. Pipe into nests by piping a 3-inch round spiral base, then pipe two to three circles on top of the outer edge of the base, spiraling upwards to create a ‘nest effect’ on the edge of the meringue.

7. Bake at 100C for 2 ½ hours, then switch the oven off and leave for a further hour. Remove from the oven and gently peel the meringues away from the greaseproof paper. They should be totally dry underneath. Remember, the larger the meringues, the longer they will take to bake.

8. Meanwhile, chop the strawberries any which way you like. Add the lime juice, zest and sugar. Mix and cover with cling film. Chill until later.

9. Open the tins of coconut milk (don’t shake them first) and remove the thick cream from the top. Place it in the bowl of your stand mixer and whip along with the sugar until smooth. Reserve the water for a smoothie tomorrow morning.

10. Assemble the nests with a spoonful of coconut cream, top with strawberries and lime zest. Serve immediately.

The plain meringue nests will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Dig in.

Love Sanjana x

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I remember being six years old and fascinated by cake. Today, I’m 26 and still obsessed with it. I once had a tragic experience with Death by Chocolate Cake. I begged and begged for it until my parents gave in, probably knowing I’d regret it the next day. Needless to say, it did exactly what it said on the box. I didn’t look at another cake for a very long time.

These days, I prefer my cakes with far less sugar… but still packing heaps of chocolate.

There’s nothing better than the marriage between intense chocolate sponge and subtle chai spices. This four-layer cake stays super moist because the sponge is soaked with a little bit of dark rum. If you don’t want to use rum, you can use a bit of gingerbread syrup (like the kind you add to coffee) or just leave it out. As the layers are thin, the buttercream will do a great job of keeping it moist.

For a rich chocolate kick, two teaspoons of good-quality instant coffee works a treat. The slight bitter notes make the chocolate flavour big, punchy and powerful.

If you’ve never tried Biscoff… Well, where the hell have you been?! Essentially, it is crushed Speculoos (spiced) biscuits made into a creamy spread the consistency of Nutella. Spread it on toast, pancakes and use it to make the buttercrean for this cake. Btw, it’s 100% vegan – magic!

I’ve spent many years trying to perfect the vegan sponge and the only one I can say I’m truly proud of and can always depend on is this chocolate cake. The use of white vinegar, oil and cocoa powder creates an even lift and remains moist without the use of eggs.

With hundreds of books on French pâtisserie – my favourite subject after savoury vegetarian cooking, I’ve committed so many hours trying to replicate the classics without using eggs, butter, milk and cream. Sometimes it’s with great success… but usually it ends in disaster. My vegan/eggless pastry chef life is sort of a work in progress I don’t like to talk about too often – and with good reason. 

Darkest Ever Vegan Chocolate Cake with Biscoff and Chai-Spiced Buttercream
Serves 10-12

Ingredients for the sponge:

450g plain flour
100g good-quality cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp salt
300g caster sugar
100ml vegetable or sunflower oil
500ml cold water
2 tsp instant coffee
2 tsp white vinegar
2 tbsp dark rum to soak the sponges (optional)

Ingredients for the buttercream:

250g soy margarine
300g crunchy Biscoff spread
2 tbsp icing sugar
2 tsp chai spice

Popcorn, toasted hazelnuts and Carnation Caramel (onit if vegan) to decorate

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 160 degrees C. Grease and line a 8-inch wide X 3-inch deep cake tin.

2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt.

3. In a separate bowl or a stand mixer, whisk together the sugar, oil, water, coffee and vinegar until fully combined, about 5 minutes.

4. Gently fold in a third of the dry ingredients. Don’t worry if there are a few lumps. Next, fold in the remaining two thirds of the dry ingredients. Beat with a whisk until very few lumps remain, about 1 minute. Do not over mix it.

5. Pour the cake mix into the cake tin and bang the bottom of the tin on a work surface to ensure any bubbles come to the surface. This will ensure an even rise.

6. Bake the cake in the oven for 50 minutes or until a skewer poked into the centre of the cake comes out clean. It’s important you don’t open the oven for the first 40 minutes of cooking.

7. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes.

8. After 10 minutes, run a knife around the edge of the cake and carefully turn out onto a wire rack. Allow to cool fully, preferably overnight. Cover loosely.

9. To make the buttercream, beat the vegan margarine until light, pale and fluffy. Next, beat in the Biscoff, chai spices and icing sugar. Beat again until super fluffy. About 10 minutes.

10. To assemble to cake, remove the baking paper from under the cake and using a cake wire, cut the sponge into four even layers. At this point you can soak each sponge with dark rum, if using.

11. Place your first sponge on a cake plate and using an ice cream scoop, take four level scoops of your buttercream. Spread evenly and top with your next sponge. Repeat for all of the sponges and finally, top the cake with the remaining buttercream.

12. Scatter over the popcorn and caramel if using. If you don’t want to use caramel, you can used melted dark chocolate.

13. Cut into slices and serve with a cuppa chai. 

Who knows, maybe one day I’ll have enough dough to bag a place at Le Cordon Bleu. In Paris. Learning how to make perfect madeleines, tarts, gâteau, and croissants. 

Dreamy.

Love Sanjana

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