Gulab Jamun Thandai Mousse Indian Fusion Dessert Carve Your Craving

I love creating classic recipes with a twist. Presenting it in a new avatar is so exciting. My favorite being this Mango Panna Cotta with sevai kheer as well as this amazing triple chocolate kalakand. If you are into fusion recipes then you will love gulab jamun fused with thandai spice mousse. It is so much fun trying out new recipes and sharing with friends and family.

How it all started?

I literally cried when I made this combo 3 years back. Whenever I make this fusion dessert, it is loved by everyone. With all the dessert recipe testing that I have done in the past, I am most excited about this one. This idea came to my mind while having gulab jamun with vanilla ice cream. And it just occurred to me that I should try pairing it with mousse. As gulab jamuns are sweet I need to make a spiced mousse. Then I thought what is better than adding thandai spice mix to the recipe. It will balance the sweetness so well keeping the Indian flavors intact.

The easy method just for you!

I started by making gulab jamuns from scratch and then this mousse. There are so many things to remember to get the gulab jamuns right. After all the cracked, unevenly cooked, and hard center gulab jamuns I got it right in few trials. It took me 2-3 trials to get the perfect texture and consistency I thought my readers won’t have a lot of time to experiment but at the same time, I want them to create, share and enjoy this dessert. I wanted to ease out the process in my future testing. So, tested this recipe to simplify it as much as possible. I want this dessert to be easy to make ahead of time, crowd-friendly, and eye candy. So, settled with buying a pack of gulab jamuns from the mithai shop as well as making it from a read-mix to reduce my work. Now, this is more doable and less intriguing for beginners.

Let’s admit, during auspicious festivals like Holi and Diwali we all are super busy making warm snacks, lavish meals, and sweets at home. We wish to have the best dishes on the table for our family and friends to enjoy! Making everything from scratch is not be feasible for everyone. So, today I am sharing a very easy process to make this Indian fusion dessert. You don’t have to be a seasoned cook or need any professional skills to put up this dessert. Remember how we have a dozen of recipes that we want to make sitting on our wish list and never try it because of lack of time. I don’t want this dessert to be one of them. I want to see it in action!!!

This stunning masterpiece is made up of two recipes simplified just for you. I have conveniently used a combination of store-bought ingredients and adding my personal touch to it to create an unforgettable dessert. Get ready to dive into the layers of moist and soft gulab jamuns & airy Thandai mousse. A dessert you didn’t know you needed in your life!!

Instructions to make Gulab Jamun Thandai Mousse

For making Gulab Jamun

Important tips for gulab jamuns

For making Thandai Mousse

Next, in a stovetop heat-safe bowl add agar agar, milk, thandai powder, cardamom and saffron. Whisk it until lump-free. Now heat it on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until it reaches a simmer. After it reaches a simmer cook the mixture stirring constantly for 1 minute. Switch off the flame. Add in food color and stir. Strain the mixture in another container and let it come to lukewarm temperature. It will take about 3-4 minutes depending on the size of the bowl used for cooling. Once it is warm to touch. Take out the cream from the fridge. The following are very important steps. So please read and follow carefully. On your work table keep the chilled bowl of cream, electric whisk, and agar agar thandai mixture handy. Place the electric whisk in the cream and switch it on to medium speed. Now while you are constantly whipping with one hand, pour the warm thandai mixture with another hand. Whisk the mixture for 10 seconds. This should be enough to incorporate the agar agar mixture into the cream without overwhipping. Now with the help of the spatula just fold the cream with 2-3 strokes to make sure everything is mixed well. At this point, I refrigerate the thandai mousse for at least 3 hours and up to 2 days to set further.

Assembling the dessert

Layer the mousse by piping it alternating between gulab jamuns into the chosen dessert bowl or glass and refrigerate it until served. Or keep the mousse and gulab jamuns separately in the fridge. Assemble it right before eating.

Important notes for making the best thandai mousse

While simmering the mixture

Always mix agar agar with water before heating it. Adding it to hot liquid will clump the agar agar. Stir frequently and strain the mixture after done.

While whipping it with the cream

Agar Agar sets hard immediately once cooled or comes in contact with cold ingredients. If, by any chance, the agar thandai mixture has cooled down and set, reheat it until warm. We need pourable consistency. It should be lukewarm and not very hot. As the cream we whipped is already cold it will tend to set up immediately. The reason behind whisking constantly while pouring the agar agar mixture is that it will blend well without clumping. If you add the warm mixture to the cream all at once before starting to whisk, you will get small lumps in your mousse and it won’t be very smooth. So, it is important that you start the beater and whisk the cream while pouring the warm thandai mixture gradually and continuously. It’s ok to under whip and not reach stiff peaks.

Storage instructions

Store the prepared mousse and gulab jamuns separately in the refrigerator. Thandai Mousse will hold well and can be made up to 3-4 days in advance. Gulab Jamun stays well in the fridge for 2 weeks. Just keep them in the syrup ant all times. After layering, it will stay well for 3 days in the fridge. Just cover each bowl with plastic wrap.

Choice of serve-ware

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali. I hope this festival brings you good health and wealth. Stay safe!! If you want to try something innovative, and different, do give this layered Indian fusion dessert a try!

Diwali Recipes you should try –

Lapsi – A nutritious Indian sweet Crispy Chakli – Indian tea time snack Nankhatai – Delicious Indian butter cookies made with 3 ingredients Shakarpara – Crunchy flaky dry snack for munching.