Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa

// How to Make Gajar Ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa. This is a chewy halwa which is bursting with awesome cardamom-y flavor and nutty texture.



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Learn How to Make Gajar Halwa | Carrot Halwa Recipe | Carrot Pudding recipe with an easy video tutorial. ‘Gajar Halwa’ is one of the most popular Indian dessert recipes made during winter months. This traditional delight Gajar Ka Halwa (गाजर हलवा) is also known as a mother of all the desserts. This dessert made with freshly grated carrots, milk, condensed milk/sugar. Addition of chopped nuts and touch of cardamom is what makes this humble sweet even more irresistible.  This is a chewy gajar halwa is bursting with awesome cardamom-y flavor and nutty texture. 

a glass bowl with gajar ka halwa in it on a table

Monday is gone. Tuesday is gone. And now it’s Wednesday already. Where have I been to? Well, I had plans for this week’s post, but then something unexpected happened and I couldn’t post any recipe.

On Monday, I was feeling a little light, so I thought I will skip posting. And on Tuesday morning I was all set for the post, but then again, couldn’t post due to some other issues.

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a glass bowl of carrot halwa with a spoon in it

Now everything is back on track, and I am here to share a dessert recipe to start this week’s posting on a sweeter note. Today’s recipe is one of the most popular Indian desserts‘Gajar Ka Halwa’.

What Is Gajar Halwa?

‘Gajar Ka Halwa’  aka Carrot Halwa is the queen of Indian desserts. Gajar is a Hindi word which means carrot, and halwa stands for a pudding made with milk, sugar, and ghee. Making this halwa is simple and the outcome is absolutely divine. This halwa is just SO GOOD, I have yet to someone who doesn’t like Gajar Ka Halwa.

This popular Indian halwa is prepared at least 3-4 times in every North Indian Household during winter time. Also, it is one of those desserts which is always present on special occasions, such as weddings, get-togethers, and parties.

There are many simple and easy ways of making this delicacy, ‘Gajar Ka Halwa/Carrot Halwa’. Some like to add sugar as a sweetener, others like to add condensed milk. And there are many who like to add the combination of both.

There is also another Gajar Halwa version made using khoya/mawa (milk solids).

Related: Bread Gulab Jamun Recipe

a bowl of gajar ka halwa with a spoon and a pine cone

Though winter in India is almost gone, but here, we still have traces of white winter. So I made this modest halwa last week on the occasion of the colorful festival of Holi.

How do you make Gajar Halwa?

Carrots are caramelized slowly in ghee first and then cooked with milk in an open pan. So all in all, you just have to sauté grated carrots in ghee and then, stir and cooked together with milk and sugar for about an hour. Lastly, nuts are added to enhance the deliciousness.

Would you believe that this heavenly dessert can be prepared with very less number of ingredients? Yes, it only needs very few ingredients which are easily available in any kitchen pantry.

The delightful taste of this halwa could impress anyone. So make it for the weekend’s gatherings, get-togethers or parties. Your guests will go gaga over this halwa. Not only the kids but adults would love it as well.

This can be served cold or warm. I personally love to eat it warm. Are you ready to enjoy this chewy halwa which is bursting with awesome cardamom-y flavor and nutty texture?

Related: How to Make Mohanthal

a bowl of gajar ka halwa topped with nuts a spoon and a pine cone

Some awesome tips to make your best Gajar Halwa /Carrot Halwa Recipe:

  1. Always use freshly grated/shredded carrots for making this dish Gajar Ka Halwa. The color of carrots will turn brown if you keep it shredded for a longer time.

  2. I have added sweetened condensed milk because it tastes richer. However, you can also add sugar or a combination of sugar and sweetened condensed milk if you have it at hand.

  3. If possible, use juicy large red carrots to make this halwa. But if you don’t get red carrots easily then you can also use regular orange carrots.

  4. Keep stirring the halwa occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.

  5. You can completely skip adding milk, or reduce the amount the milk if you are planning to add khoya/mawa to this halwa.

  6. This Gajar ka halwa can easily be made in an Instant Pot, or in a slow cooker.

  7. If you want to completely avoid the sugar than you can add some fresh dates to the halwa.

Related: Kaju Katli Recipe

Are you a fan or carrot desserts? Then you would love our https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/carrot-cake-mug-cake/ recipe.

FAQ

Is Carrot halwa served hot or cold? How do you serve Carrot Halwa?

Garnish Gajar Ka Halwa with some dry fruits and serve in dessert bowls warm/hot/cold. I personally like warm Gajar Ka Halwa the most.

How many days does Carrot Halwa last?

You can store Gajar Ka Halwa for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This halwa would only stay fresh when kept covered. Simply microwave it for 30 seconds on high heat, or warm it in a double boiler when you want to serve this halwa.

Can I freeze Gajar Ka Halwa?

Yes, you can freeze gajar ka halwa for up to 2 months in a freezer safe container. Just thaw halwa for 30 minutes are room temperature and warm it in a microwave of using double boiler method.

What carrots are good for Gajar Ka Halwa recipe?

Authentically, red large and juicy carrots are used for making gajar ka halwa, because they are genetically sweet and this halwa a nice color. However, we don’t get red carrots here so I normally use the regular orange carrots. They taste just good.

How to make Carrot Halwa / Gajar ka halwa in a pressure cooker?

For making gajar ka halwa in a pressure cooker, add milk and carrots in a pressure cooker and cook for 2-3 whistles. Let the pressure cool off completely. Once cooled, open the lid and let the milk dry over medium heat if there is any.

Add condensed milk/sugar and cook for 5 minutes. Now add cardamom powder and chopped nuts and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add ghee and cook for 2 more minutes. The halwa would leave the sides on the cooker. Garnish with chopped nut and serve hot, warm or cold.

More intriguing halwa recipes: Carrot Halwa, Aloo Ka Halwa*, Cheesy Blueberry Halwa, Pumpkin Tofu Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa, Sooji Halwa, Atta Halwa, Potato Halwa and besan halwa.

How to make Carrot Halwa with Milkmaid?

Milkmaid is a brand name for condensed milk. I have used homemade sweetened condensed milk for this gajar ka halwa recipe. So simply follow the recipe in the recipe box, and use milkmaid.

Can I make carrot halwa without milk?

Yes, you can. Just remove the step of adding milk and the rest of the recipe would remain the same.

Related: How To Make Ghevar

two pictures of  gajar ka halwa or carrot halwa with toppings on a plate
a glass bowl filled with gajar ka halwa or carrot halwa and a spoon

Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa (Step-by-step photo instructions)

How To Make Gajar Halwa:

  1. Wash the carrots and trim their edges. Peel the skin and shred them using a grater or a food processor. Keep it aside.
  2. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-1 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat.
  4. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-2 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  5. Once the ghee is hot, add the shredded carrots and sauté for about 10-12 minutes or till the carrots changes in color slightly, and their moisture is evaporated completely.
  6. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-3 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  7. Keep stirring occasionally. The raw smell of the carrots would have been completely gone by now.
  8. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-4 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  9. Add the whole milk to the cooked carrots and stir well.
  10. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-5 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  11. Let the carrots cook in the milk till the entire mixture becomes dry again or till all of the milk is absorbed. Keep stirring in between to avoid the carrots sticking to the bottom of the pan. This whole process should take about 15-20 minutes.
  12. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-6 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  13. Now add the condensed milk/sugar and mix well. (If you are adding sugar, this halwa would become watery again.)
  14. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-7 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  15. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes if you are adding condensed milk. (If you are adding sugar, then cook till the sugar is absorbed and halwa becomes dry again.)
  16. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-8 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  17. Now add cardamom powder and chopped nuts and mix well.
  18. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-9 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  19. Add 1 tablespoon ghee and cook for 2 minutes. The halwa would leave the sides on the pan.
  20. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-10 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa
  21. Garnish Gajar Ka Halwa with chopped nut and serve hot, warm or cold.
  22. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-11 for Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa

Recipe Card


Carrot Halwa - How to Make Gajar Halwa [Recipe]

Recipe Image
How to Make Gajar Ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa. This is a chewy halwa which is bursting with awesome cardamom-y flavor and nutty texture.
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 52 reviews)

Prep time 🕐 Cook time 🕐 Total time 🕐
55 mins
Category ☶ Cuisine ♨ Serves ☺
Desserts Indian 6
Nutrition Info ⊛ Serving size ⊚
351 calories 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

For Gajar Halwa:
  • 3 tablespoons + 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter) or unsalted butter
  • 4 cups peeled, grated, carrots
  • 3 cups (750 ml) whole milk
  • 200 grams sweetened condensed milk or sugar - ¼ cup (feel free to add more if you like it sweeter)
  • 1 tablespoon cardamom powder -
  • 1 tablespoon cashews, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon almonds, sliced
  • More chopped nuts for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

How To Make Gajar Halwa:
  1. Wash the carrots and trim their edges. Peel the skin and shred them using a grater or a food processor. Keep it aside.
  2. Heat 3 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat.
  3. Once the ghee is hot, add the shredded carrots and sauté for about 10-12 minutes or till the carrots changes in color slightly, and their moisture is evaporated completely.
  4. Keep stirring occasionally. The raw smell of the carrots would have been completely gone by now.
  5. Add the whole milk to the cooked carrots and stir well.
  6. Let the carrots cook in the milk till the entire mixture becomes dry again or till all of the milk is absorbed. Keep stirring in between to avoid the carrots sticking to the bottom of the pan. This whole process should take about 15-20 minutes.
  7. Now add the condensed milk/sugar and mix well. (If you are adding sugar, this halwa would become watery again.)
  8. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes if you are adding condensed milk. (If you are adding sugar, then cook till the sugar is absorbed and halwa becomes dry again.)
  9. Now add cardamom powder and chopped nuts and mix well.
  10. Add 1 tablespoon ghee and cook for 2 minutes. The halwa would leave the sides on the pan.
  11. Garnish Gajar Ka Halwa with chopped nut and serve hot, warm or cold.

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NOTES:

  1. Use almond butter and almond milk to make this gajar halwa vegan.


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