Rasgulla is a light, spongy Bengali dessert made from fresh chhena balls soaked in delicate sugar syrup. This iconic Indian sweet is a staple at family celebrations and festivals across the country.
Bring whole milk to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
Reduce heat to low; slowly add lemon juice while stirring. Continue until the milk curdles and whey separates fully.
Immediately add ice cubes to stop cooking, then strain using a muslin cloth. Rinse the chhena thoroughly under cold water to remove lemon flavor.
Gather the cloth and squeeze out excess water; hang for 20 minutes. Knead the chhena on a clean surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and pliable.
Divide and shape into 12 smooth, crack-free balls. Meanwhile, in a wide pot, boil water with sugar and cardamom over medium-high heat, ensuring sugar fully dissolves.
Carefully drop chhena balls into gently boiling syrup. Cover and cook for 22–25 minutes over medium heat; maintain rapid simmer for even puffing.
Turn off the heat and allow rasgullas to cool for 10 minutes. Add rose water, then transfer rasgullas into the syrup and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.