Methods

1. Combine the milk powder, buttermilk powder, flour, semolina, baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add the ghee and, using your fingers, rub the ghee into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse sand.
2. Stir in the half and half, cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the dough, and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make the syrup. Place the saffron in a mortar, pound into a fine powder and add it to a large pot along with the sugar, rose petals, green cardamom, lemon juice, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1¾ cup water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid has turned a gold color, 5 to 6 minutes. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and keep warm while you form and fry the dough.
4. Take a heaping tablespoon (21g) piece of dough, gently squeeze it with your hand, then roll it between your palms into a smooth ball. If the dough looks rough or cracks a little, dampen your hands with a little half and half and continue rolling. Transfer the finished ball onto an oiled plate and repeat with the remaining dough. (You should end up with about 22 balls.)
5. Meanwhile, heat 1½ ” neutral oil to 300°F in a large pot over medium heat. Fry the balls in batches, flipping occasionally to promote even cooking, until puffed and deep golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, place the fried balls to a wire rack-lined for 1 minute to drain, then transfer to the pan of warm syrup.
6. Once all the gulab jamun are fried and in the syrup, turn off the heat, and let cool down to room temperature, flipping the balls once so they are evenly soaked. Soak for at least 4 hours, up to overnight. If soaking overnight, transfer the gulab jamun to the refrigerator.
7. To serve, gently heat the gulab jamun over medium-low heat until warmed through. Transfer to a shallow serving bowl or individual bowls, spoon a generous amount of syrup over, and garnish with more rose petals, if desired.