Besan Halwa or Besan Ka Halwa is a popular and delicious Indian dessert served during festive occasions and celebrations. This sweet and delightful Gram Flour Pudding is made using gram flour, ghee, milk sugar, saffron, cardamom, and chopped nuts.
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The comfort and ease of preparing this besan halwa make it a delightful treat. When made from scratch, this rich and toothsome mithai comes together in just 35 minutes!
Making this besan halwa is super simple and easy. Make it for a festival, get-together, or a weekend dessert — this sweet and delightful treat is sure to leave your taste buds satisfied.
So, are you ready to give this easy besan halwa recipe a try and enjoy the sweet and aromatic halwa today?
About Besan Halwa
Besan halwa is a traditional Indian sweet dish or mithai that is often prepared and enjoyed during special occasions and festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Eid.
This flavorsome halwa has a beautiful golden hue and a distinctive flavor making it a wonderful festive food. Plus, it has a buttery, melt-in-mouth texture, and a sweet, aromatic, rich taste. It tastes just like chana dal halwa, without much muscle work.
You may also call it an instant version of Chana Dal Halwa.
Here besan (gram flour) adds a nutty and earthy flavor to the sweet dish, while the ghee gives it an aromatic touch. The addition of sweet-smelling spices such as cardamom, and saffron gives this halwa a sensational taste and enticing flavors.
Another great thing about this dessert is that it is such a versatile dish, and you can easily customize it to make it suitable to your preferences.
This recipe for besan halwa is quick and easy to follow and even an amateur cook can make it with such perfection. A spoonful of amazing textures and taste of this Besan Ka Halwa is sure to please your taste buds.
This halwa dessert is also incredibly versatile. Like any other halwa recipe, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your preferences or to make it more flavorful.
Such as you can make it with or without nuts. Also, you can make it with milk or without milk. Mawa and milk cream can also be added here.
I have used the flavoring of cardamom and saffron here, but there are also other flavors such as rose water, kewra water or cinnamon, or nutmeg.
Halwa is a favorite and staple Indian dessert that is deep-rooted in Indian culinary culture and is loved by all. The richness in halwas makes them a dessert that would leave you feeling gratified and indulged.
If you like wheat flour desserts then you can try our rich aate ka halwa recipe or Instant Meethe Chawal.
If you are into veggie treats then gajar halwa, Instant Gajar Halwa, aloo halwa are great options for you. Or if you adore rice nutty flavors then badam halwa would certainly suit your taste glands. Or if fruity dessert flavors are your weekend then you surely appreciate the sweet and tangy taste of mango halwa. For a lentil-flavored dessert, you can try the moong dal halwa recipe.
This Besan Halwa
✓ can be relished during festivals
✓ is full of exotic and enticing flavors
✓ gets ready in 35 minutes
✓ can also be made by novice cooks
✓ has a rich texture
✓ is sweet and flavorsome
✓ is an easy to make scrumptious dessert
✓ has a nutty flavor and buttery taste
✓ is a comforting and sweet enjoyable treat
✓ stays fresh for up to 1 week
✓ is suitable for parties and get-togethers
Ingredients
Besan halwa is a traditional and delightful Indian sweet that is prepared with some simple and easily obtainable ingredients. Below are the ingredients you will be needing to make Homemade Besan Ka Halwa:
- Besan – As the name of this dish suggests, Besan, also known as gram flour, is the key ingredient of this besan halwa recipe. Besan or gram flour has a nutty and earthy flavor. It is made from ground chickpeas.
To make the best-tasting halwa, it is advised to use fresh besan as stale besan may ruin the overall taste of the halwa.
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Semolina – Adding about a tablespoon of semolina gives this halwa a slightly grainy lentil halwa-like texture. That’s why it resembles chana dal halwa in taste. It also adds a subtle flavor to the halwa.
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Milk/Water – Boiled full cream milk and water mixture is used as the liquid in this halwa recipe. It adds a subtle sweetness and gives the halwa a rich milky taste, and creamy and smooth texture.
If you don’t like adding milk then you can swap it with the same amount of water.
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Ghee: It is an essential ingredient in halwa recipes, as it gives the dish a buttery and rich taste. So it is important to use good quality ghee. Homemade ghee or store-bought ghee, both work here.
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Saffron – Adding saffron strands are added to the milk while boiling. Saffron releases its aroma and flavor in the milk while boiling and gives this halwa a golden hue and such a unique aromatic flavor.
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Sweetener – I have added granulated sugar to give this halwa a sweet taste. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to suit your preferences. You can also use other sweeteners such as jaggery, raw cane sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar.
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Cardamom – A dash of cardamom powder is often besan ka halwa to give it a sweet-scented, delightful aroma and exotic taste. Cardamom powder is the best friend of Indian desserts.
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Dry fruits – Adding chopped fry fruits are completely optional in the halwa recipe. But I personally like to add a mix of chopped dry fruits to the halwa to give it a crunchy texture and a nutty taste. I used them in cooking and also as a garnish after halwa was prepared.
How to Make Besan Halwa
Making besan ka halwa at home is very simple and easy. This is how it is done in just 5 steps:
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Heat milk, water, and saffron strands in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Then roast besan in ghee for 5 minutes on low heat.
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After that add semolina and roast it for 17-18 minutes or until besan turns golden brown and releases an aroma.
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Then add hot milk and mix. Continue cooking the mixture until the liquid is fully absorbed and starts to leave the sides of the pan.
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Once done, add sugar to the pan and stir well. Cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely. Then add cardamom powder, and chopped nuts to the pan and mix well.
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Lastly, add 1 tablespoon of ghee and mix. Transfer it to a serving bowl, garnish with nuts, and serve hot!
Variations
Besan can have many different variations and can be customized in many ways, depending on your taste preferences. You can always experiment with different flavors and textures. Here are some besan ka halwa recipe variations you can try:
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Coconut Besan Halwa – To give this halwa a coconutty taste you can swap milk with coconut milk, and ghee with coconut. Also, add about 2 tablespoons of shredded coconut to halwa for a delicious and tropical nutty twist.
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Almond Besan Halwa - To make almond besan ka halwa, replace ½ cup of besan with almond flour. Add it with the semolina and roast it until the besan and almond mixture turns golden.
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Pistachio Besan Halwa - In this halwa variation, ground pistachios are added to the besan halwa mixture to give it a lovely greenish color and a rich nutty flavor.
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Fruity Besan Ka Halwa - To make fruit-flavored besan halwa you can add mango puree, peach puree, or dried apricots. You can also replace milk with mango juice or peach juice and reduce the amount of sweetener.
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Dates Besan Halwa - To create a unique and delicious dessert you can make dates besan halwa by substituting sugar with dates paste.
Using besan is quite common in Indian cuisine, you can make a variety of dishes using this golden flour. If you like savory besan recipes then besan toast, zucchini waffles, or besan paara can be your best friends. If you like curries then make gatta curry, or besan mirchi ke tipore. Or if you love sweets then you should definitely try besan ladoo.
Storage Suggestion
Leftover besan halwa stays fresh for up to 7-8 days when stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. To store, let the halwa cool completely, then store. Reheat it in a microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
Tips and tricks to make the Best Besan Halwa
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Roast the besan: To enhance the nutty flavor of the besan halwa, it is important to roast it well to get rid of the raw smell before adding it to any liquid. Also, stir continuously to avoid burning.
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Low Heat: To release the aroma and prevent it from burning, roast it on low heat for 17-18 minutes while stirring continuously until it turns light brown in color.
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Add liquid gradually: Whether you are using milk or water it is advised to add it gradually to prevent lumps from forming. Add a small amount of milk at a time and stir continuously until it is fully absorbed before adding more.
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Boil saffron with milk: Saffron gives the besan halwa a beautiful golden color and a floral flavor. Boiling it with milk releases the aroma.
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Use a non-stick pan: You can use any pan for making halwa but using a non-sticking pan ensures that it gets evenly roasted.
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Dry fruits: Adding dry fruits is optional but highly recommended and they add a crunchy texture and a nutty taste to the halwa. You can add them while cooking and also use them as a garnish before serving.
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Vegan Halwa: To make a vegan halwa, swap the ghee with vegan ghee, coconut oil, or any neutral oil. And substitute milk with water or vegan milk.
FAQ
What is besan halwa?
Besan halwa is a popular Indian sweet dish or pudding made with besan (gram flour), ghee, sugar, milk, nuts, and flavorings.
How to prevent lumps from forming in the besan halwa?
To prevent lumps from forming, it is crucial to add the hot milk/water gradually and keep stirring continuously. For a smooth and a lump-free texture, you can also sift the besan before roasting it.
Can I use different types of nuts in besan halwa?
Yes, you can have any of your preferred nuts or dry fruits in halwa. I have used a mix of chopped almonds, cashews, and pistachios. You can also add raisins or walnuts to this halwa.
Is besan halwa difficult to make?
No, besan ka halwa is quite easy to make. However, it needs some attention and continuous stirring. Also, knowing the facts such as roasting besan and adding liquid slowly are the most important steps for making besan halwa.
Can I make besan halwa vegan?
Yes, besan halwa can easily be made vegan by using plant-based milk such as almond or soy milk and replacing ghee with vegan butter, vegan ghee, or even with coconut oil.
Can I adjust the sweetness level of besan halwa?
Yes, definitely. Adjusting the amount of sweetness level of halwa according to your liking is possible. Just reduce or increase the amount of sugar to suit your taste preference.
How long does this halwa stay fresh?
Besan halwa stays fresh for up to 1 week if you store it cooled in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Besan Halwa (Step-by-step photo instructions)
How to Make Besan Halwa
- Heat 1 cup of whole milk, 1 cup of water, and saffron strands in a thick-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Sir well and let it come to a boil. Keep stirring continuously when the milk is getting heated. Once it comes to a rolling boil remove it from the heat.
- In a wide nonstick pan, heat 1 cup of ghee and add the besan. Roast it on low heat for 4-5 minutes. Then add 1 tablespoon of semolina and stir well. Keep roasting and stirring it on low heat for about 15-17 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma. TIP: Stir continuously to avoid burning.
- Slowly add the hot milk-water mixture to the besan, and keep stirring continuously to avoid lumps. After adding liquid the mixture will form bubbles, so be careful. Keep cooking until the liquid is absorbed by the besan flour mixture is thickened. At this point, it would start to leave the sides of the pan.
- Now, add 3/4 cup of sugar and mix well. Continue cooking and stirring until the sugar dissolves completely and the besan halwa becomes smooth.
- Add cardamom powder, and chopped nuts, and mix well until combined. Lastly, add 1 tablespoon of ghee and mix it well. Turn off the heat.
- Turn off the heat and transfer the hot besan halwa to a serving dish. Garnish besan halwa with more dry fruits or dried rose petals before serving. Your delicious besan halwa is ready to be enjoyed hot!
Recipe Card
Besan Halwa [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 4 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 35 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Desserts | Indian | 4 |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 438 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
For Besan Halwa
- 1 cup whole or full cream milk
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron strands
- 1 cup ghee
- 1 1/4 cups besan (gram flour)
- 1 tablespoon semolina (sooji)
- 1 cup tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 2-3 tablespoons almonds, cashews, and pistachios for garnishing
INSTRUCTIONS:
How to Make Besan Halwa
- Heat 1 cup of whole milk, 1 cup of water, and saffron strands in a thick-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Sir well and let it come to a boil. Keep stirring continuously when the milk is getting heated. Once it comes to a rolling boil remove it from the heat.
- In a wide nonstick pan, heat 1 cup of ghee and add the besan. Roast it on low heat for 4-5 minutes. Then add 1 tablespoon of semolina and stir well. Keep roasting and stirring it on low heat for about 15-17 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma. TIP: Stir continuously to avoid burning.
- Slowly add the hot milk-water mixture to the besan, and keep stirring continuously to avoid lumps. After adding liquid the mixture will form bubbles, so be careful. Keep cooking until the liquid is absorbed by the besan flour mixture is thickened. At this point, it would start to leave the sides of the pan.
- Now, add 3/4 cup of sugar and mix well. Continue cooking and stirring until the sugar dissolves completely and the besan halwa becomes smooth.
- Add cardamom powder, and chopped nuts, and mix well until combined. Lastly, add 1 tablespoon of ghee and mix it well. Turn off the heat.
- Turn off the heat and transfer the hot besan halwa to a serving dish. Garnish besan halwa with more dry fruits or dried rose petals before serving. Your delicious besan halwa is ready to be enjoyed hot!
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NOTES:
- To enhance the nutty flavor of the besan halwa, it is important to roast it well to get rid of the raw smell before adding it to any liquid. Also, stir continuously to avoid burning.
- To release the aroma and prevent it from burning, roast it on low heat for 17-18 minutes while stirring continuously until it turns light brown in color.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/besan-halwa/