Ever wondered how to make a Bengali dessert that’s soft, juicy, and melts in your mouth?
Meet Rosh Bora, also known as Bengali Rava Gulab Jamun. Unlike regular gulab jamun, these little sweet patties are made with semolina (sooji/rava) and milk, giving them a unique texture and a delicate flavor that makes them irresistible for any occasion.
Juicy & Soft: Just the right soak in sugar syrup ensures each bite is succulent.
Festive Friendly: Perfect for Bengali festivals, family celebrations, or special treats.
Customizable: Garnish with saffron, pistachios, or almonds to impress guests.
Ingredients Breakdown
Sooji / Rava: Provides a slightly grainy, soft base that absorbs sugar syrup beautifully.
Milk & Milk Powder: Adds richness and creaminess while helping the dough bind.
Ghee: Roasting the semolina in ghee enhances the aroma and nutty flavor.
Cardamom Powder: Lends a warm, fragrant note that’s classic in Indian sweets.
Sugar Syrup: Sweetens and hydrates the fried roshboras, making them soft and juicy.
How the Recipe Works
Start by preparing the sugar syrup. Heat sugar and water until fully dissolved, then let it simmer for a few minutes to slightly thicken — this is what will soak into your roshboras later.
Next, roast the semolina in ghee for a minute or two. This small step adds a lovely nutty aroma and ensures the rava cooks through. Then pour in boiled milk and cook together until it forms a soft, pliable mass.
Once cooled, mix in cardamom, milk powder, and a pinch of baking soda. Knead lightly — you want a dough that’s soft and easy to shape. Divide the mixture into small portions and form round or slightly flattened patties.
Heat oil for deep frying on medium flame. Fry the roshboras gently, turning to ensure golden brown color on all sides. Immediately transfer the fried sweets into the warm sugar syrup for 5–10 minutes so they absorb the syrup and become juicy.
Finally, garnish with saffron strands and chopped pistachios for that festive, authentic Bengali touch.
Pro Tip 💡: Make sure the oil isn’t too hot; medium flame ensures the roshboras cook evenly inside without browning too fast. Don’t overcrowd the pan — each sweet needs space to expand slightly while frying
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or creamy rabri for an indulgent dessert experience.
Fresh fruits like mango, berries, or papaya to balance the richness and add a refreshing touch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Rosh Bora warm or at room temperature as a dessert after lunch or dinner. Pair with masala chai or coffee for a delightful teatime treat. They also make a perfect festive platter dessert alongside other sweets like sandesh or rasgulla.
Storing & Make-Ahead Tips
Room Temperature: Can be kept in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
Refrigeration: Lasts up to 4-5 days; warm slightly in the microwave or steam before serving.
Party Preparation: Fry the roshboras ahead and soak in sugar syrup just before serving for the freshest, juiciest experience.
Other Related Recipes You Might Like :-
Rice Kheer — classic milk-and-rice pudding scented with cardamom and nuts — a soft, milky sweet.
Makhana Kheer — delicate milk kheer made with roasted makhana (fox nuts) — light and festive.
Rava Kesari — semolina-based saffron-scented sweet with a soft, melt-in-mouth texture.
Rosh Bora, also known as Rava Gulab Jamun or Bengali Rasbora, is a soft, syrupy sweet that melts in your mouth. Made with roasted semolina and milk, these little golden patties are fried to perfection and soaked in fragrant cardamom sugar syrup. Perfect for festivals, special occasions, or simply as a cozy treat at home, Rosh Bora is a dessert that brings warmth, sweetness, and a touch of nostalgia to every bite. Simple to make yet utterly irresistible, it’s a must-try for anyone who loves classic Indian sweets.
Ingredients
1cup sugar (for syrup)
1 1/2cups water (for syrup)
1tsp ghee (for roasting)
1/2cup semolina / sooji (roasted)
1 1/2cups boiled milk (cooled)
1/2tsp cardamom powder (aromatic)
baking soda (a pinch)
2tbsp milk powder (adds richness)
oil for deep frying (as needed)
Instructions
Method
1
Make sugar syrup
Take sugar and water in a saucepan, heat until the sugar dissolves
2
Simmer syrupOnce sugar dissolves, let the syrup simmer for about 5 mins so it thickens a bit
3
Set the syrup asideTurn off the stove and keep the sugar syrup aside
4
Heat gheeTake ghee in a pan and get it warm
5
Roast soojiAdd sooji to the ghee and roast it briefly until it changes color
6
Cook milk with soojiAdd boiled and cooled milk to the roasted sooji and cook together on medium flame until a soft mass forms
7
Transfer to bowlTurn off the stove and transfer the sooji mixture into a bowl
8
Add flavoringsOnce the mixture cools fully, add cardamom powder, baking soda, and milk powder and mix well
9
Knead doughKnead slightly until you get a pliable dough
10
Shape pattiesTake small portions and shape them into patties, keep aside
11
Prepare serving bowlPour sugar syrup into a serving bowl
12
Heat oil for fryingTake enough oil in a kadai and heat it for deep frying
13
Fry rosh borasGently drop in the roshboras and fry until golden brown on all sides
14
Soak in syrupRemove from oil and place in sugar syrup for 5–10 mins to let them absorb syrup
15
GarnishRemove from syrup, garnish with saffron strands and chopped pistachios
16
ServeServe juicy, yummy roshboras warm or at room temperature
Nutrition Facts
Servings 5
Amount Per Serving
Calories170kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat5g8%
Saturated Fat2.5g13%
Cholesterol5mg2%
Sodium50mg3%
Potassium55mg2%
Total Carbohydrate29g10%
Dietary Fiber0.5g2%
Sugars23g
Protein2.6g6%
Calcium 60 mg
Iron 0.2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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Hema Subramanian
Food and Lifestyle Blogger
I love to cook! And through Home Cooking Show, I hope to make cooking fun, easy, and approachable for everyone.
My way of sharing recipes is all about keeping it simple and delicious—no complicated steps, no fancy ingredients, just real home-cooked food that anyone can make. Cooking should be a joy, not a chore! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, you’ll find something here to inspire you. If you love good food made with love, then you’re in the right place!