Dessert Diwali Recipes 2025: Prepare Gulab Jamun Cheesecake For A Delightful Celebration
Celebrate the festive season with the Gulab Jamun Cheesecake, a luxurious fusion of creamy Western cheesecake and traditional Indian sweetness, perfect for Diwali celebration.

(By Sunil Helave)
The Gulab Jamun Cheesecake is an indulgent harmony of two beloved worlds, the classic Western cheesecake and the quintessential Indian sweet, gulab jamun. This dessert reimagines traditional festive flavors in a contemporary avatar, offering a perfect balance of creamy, syrupy, and buttery notes. Each bite unveils a delightful play of textures: a crisp, buttery biscuit base that anchors the dessert, a velvety cream cheese layer that melts effortlessly on the palate, and soft, syrup-soaked gulab jamuns adorning the top. Every component complements the other in both taste and feel, resulting in an experience that is rich, layered, and deeply satisfying.
Created especially for festive occasions like Diwali, this dessert celebrates nostalgia with a modern flair. The gentle sweetness of the cheesecake pairs beautifully with the aromatic richness of gulab jamun, while subtle notes of rose, cardamom, and saffron weave through the layers, evoking the warmth and comfort of traditional mithai. Each slice tells a story of contrast and connection: familiar Indian flavors expressed through refined, global techniques, creating something that feels both classic and new.
Visually, the Gulab Jamun Cheesecake is an undeniable showstopper. The golden jamuns glisten atop a pale, velvety base, making it the perfect centerpiece for any festive spread. A drizzle of glossy rose syrup enhances its beauty and adds a fragrant, floral note that ties the entire dessert together, making it as captivating to look at as it is to taste.
Beyond its visual elegance, this dessert is also practical for festive entertaining. When prepared in advance and chilled overnight, the flavors mature beautifully, the syrup seeps through the cheesecake, enriching every bite with depth and balance. Whether it’s served at an intimate family gathering or a grand festive dinner, the Gulab Jamun Cheesecake bridges tradition and innovation, a celebration of indulgence, artistry, and the timeless joy of sharing familiar flavors in a refreshingly modern form.
Sunil Helave is chef Commis II at Deltin Royale, Goa
Ingredients
- 1.5 Cup For the Crust: Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 0.25 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 0.5 Cup Unsalted Butter (melted)
- 450 Gram For the Cheesecake: Cream Cheese, softened
- 0.5 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 4 Piece Large Eggs, separated
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup For the Gulab Jamun Topping: Gulab Jamuns (homemade or store-bought, cut into halves if large)
- 0.25 Cup Gulab (rose) syrup
Cooking Instructions
Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
Press the mixture firmly into the base of a springform pan to form an even crust.
Bake for 8–10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
Prepare the Cheesecake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
Add egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form, then gently fold them into the cheesecake mixture.
Bake the Cheesecake: Pour the batter over the cooled crust.
Place the springform pan in a larger baking tray filled with a little hot water (water bath method) to ensure even baking.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the center is just set and slightly wobbly.
Turn off the oven, leave the door slightly open, and let the cheesecake cool gradually.
Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Prepare the Gulab Jamun Topping: Warm the gulab jamuns slightly and soak them in gulab syrup for 10–15 minutes. Drain any excess syrup.
Assemble the Cheesecake: Gently unmold the chilled cheesecake and place it on a serving platter.
Arrange the gulab jamuns on top and drizzle lightly with gulab syrup.
Serve: Slice and serve chilled. Garnish with crushed pistachios or dried rose petals for an elegant finish.
Summary
Diwali Recipes 2025: Prepare Gulab Jamun Cheesecake For A Delightful Celebration
Celebrate the festive season with the Gulab Jamun Cheesecake, a luxurious fusion of creamy Western cheesecake and traditional Indian sweetness, perfect for Diwali celebration.
Ingredients
- 1.5 Cup For the Crust: Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 0.25 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 0.5 Cup Unsalted Butter (melted)
- 450 Gram For the Cheesecake: Cream Cheese, softened
- 0.5 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 4 Piece Large Eggs, separated
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup For the Gulab Jamun Topping: Gulab Jamuns (homemade or store-bought, cut into halves if large)
- 0.25 Cup Gulab (rose) syrup
Main Procedure
Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
Press the mixture firmly into the base of a springform pan to form an even crust.
Bake for 8–10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
Prepare the Cheesecake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy.
Add egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form, then gently fold them into the cheesecake mixture.
Bake the Cheesecake: Pour the batter over the cooled crust.
Place the springform pan in a larger baking tray filled with a little hot water (water bath method) to ensure even baking.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the center is just set and slightly wobbly.
Turn off the oven, leave the door slightly open, and let the cheesecake cool gradually.
Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Prepare the Gulab Jamun Topping: Warm the gulab jamuns slightly and soak them in gulab syrup for 10–15 minutes. Drain any excess syrup.
Assemble the Cheesecake: Gently unmold the chilled cheesecake and place it on a serving platter.
Arrange the gulab jamuns on top and drizzle lightly with gulab syrup.
Serve: Slice and serve chilled. Garnish with crushed pistachios or dried rose petals for an elegant finish.






















