Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa) – Slow Cooked Traditional Indian Sweet

Gajar Ka Halwa or Carrot halwa  – An utterly delicious traditional Indian sweet recipe made of grated red carrots, slow cooked in ghee, milk, khoya (mawa) and sugar is remarkable. Gajar Ka Halwa is a winter delicacy that needs no introduction! An Indian dessert loved by one and loved by all.

On the blog, today is, the most loved Indian dessert Gajar Ka Halwa. I believe this Indian carrot pudding which is also known as Gajrela does not need a great explanation. Because, it’s taste is well enough to express the emotion of every bite taken.

Tasting absolutely perfect in every bite with a little warmer tendency. Carrot halwa also loved with spoonful of milk and malai with cashews, pistachios and almonds sprinkled on top.

Made in pure ghee and seasoned with dried fruits along with the natural color of Delhi carrots and sparks of Khoya (Khowa) is Heaven! The carrot halwa is nutritious as well as healthy during winters, as it keeps your body warm.

Our festivals are absolutely dry without these mouth melting desserts. All the major festivals in India, be it Eid, Diwali, Holi or Raksha Bandhan are incomplete without a sweet dish.

And, carrot halwa is NOT restricted to festivals only. You have guests over your place, or simply you wish to carry a dessert to your work place.  So, here’s your way. Stepping into a wedding or a family dinner and finding out there’s gajar ka halwa is some next level happiness

Top Tips to make best Gajar ka Halwa Recipe

• Be sure to select fresh and tender red carrots to make carrot halwa recipe. Red carrots are available in abundance in winters. However, in other days, you can opt to make it using orange carrots also.
• Significantly, use full fat milk only to get the best taste
• Before adding milk to the carrots, Do Fry gajar in ghee for sometime stirring at intervals. This step gives rich taste to the halwa
• Do not leave the halwa on the flame unattended for longer time while cooking. Keep stirring it at intervals to avoid burning
• You can fry the cashew nuts and raisins in little ghee first, before adding it to the halwa
• Addition of saffron gives richer taste and aroma to the carrot halwa
• Do you want make gajar ka halwa without Khowa/mawa? Then, double the amount of full fat milk and simmer the carrots in it. You can also add some homemade malai along with milk.
• Or instead of khowa, add condensed milk to the carrot halwa. But, keep a CHECK on the amount of sugar, in this case, you may have to reduce it.
• Like restaurants, you can serve gajar ka halwa with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream
• You can also serve it warm with fresh malai and dry fruits topped on it.

How to make Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot halwa) In a Pressure Cooker?

Slow-cooked gajar ka halwa is the way to get the authentic taste of the dish, a true labour of love. However you can make it in pressure cooker as well if you have crunch of time. Here is the link in detail to make gajar ka halwa in pressure cooker but with milkmaid or condensed milk. Follow the same pressure cooker method to make carrot halwa with khoya also. Just swap the condensed milk with khoya and add sugar as per taste.

Carrot Halwa Ingredients

Elaborating about the origin of Gajar Ka Halwa, it was introduced by the Mughals along with the Arabic word Halwa which means “sweet”. Carrot halwa originally contained only carrots, milk, Sugar and Pure Ghee.

But later on it was advanced with  Mawa/Khowa (evaporated milk) or condensed milk, cardamom powder and saffron. This Gajrela is not just a well – known sweet winter delicacy in India, but globally it is one amongst the most demanding dessert.

I can still feel the aroma of the Gajar Ka Halwa. Let’s quickly note down the requirements and method without taking any prior time

How to make Gajar Ka halwa with khoya (Carrot halwa) – Step by Step

To begin with, first, clean, wash, peel and grate the red carrots in a bowl

Then, in a heavy bottom pan, heat ghee.

Add grated carrot, increase the heat and sauté well on high for 6-7 minutes stirring well. Reduce the heat and let it cook in ghee for another 5 minutes

Add milk, mix and simmer on low until milk reduces and is absorbed well.

Then, add khowa/mawa, raisins and cashews, mix until khowa combines well.

Add saffron soaked milk, cardamom powder, sugar and mix well till it dissolves completely

Now, increase the heat and sauté for another 6-8 minutes stirring continuously. Delicious rich, gajar ka halwa is ready to serve.

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Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe Card (Carrot Halwa Recipe)

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Gajar Ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa

Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa) is an utterly delicious traditional Indian sweet recipe made from grated red carrots that is slow cooked with ghee, milk, cardamom, sugar, and khoya, garnished with dry fruits.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Keyword Carrot halwa, Gajar halwa, Gajar ka halwa

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Servings 12

Calories 290kcal

Author Farrukh Aziz

Ingredients

to prepare carrot halwa (gajar ka halwa)

• 1 kg Carrot (red or orange) grated
• 120 g Ghee
• 2 teaspoons Cardamom powder
• 150 gms Khoya/Mawa
• 350 ml Full fat milk
• 1 cup Sugar (you may increase/decrease as preferred)
• ¼ cup Cashew nuts
• Slivered pistachios or almond or mixed dry fruits for garnish

Optional

• A very generous big pinch of saffron soaked in 1 tablespoon of milk optional
• 1/4 cup Raisins

Instructions

how to make gajar ka halwa recipe (carrot halwa recipe)

• Clean, wash, peel and grate the red carrots in a bowl
• In a heavy bottom pan, heat ghee.
• Add grated carrot, increase the heat and sauté well on high for 6-7 minutes stirring well.
• Reduce the heat and let it cook in ghee for another 5 minutes
• Add milk, mix and simmer on low until milk reduces and is absorbed well.
• Then, Add khowa/mawa, raisins and cashews, mix until khowa combines well
• Add saffron milk, cardamom powder, sugar and mix well till it dissolves completely
• Now, increase the heat and sauté for another 5 minutes stirring continuously

Notes

• Always use thick bottom pan or kadhai (wok) to make carrot halwa
• Keep stirring the halwa at intervals to avoid burning
• Use full fat milk to make gajar ka halwa
• To make this recipe, you can also use orange carrots instead of red delhi carrots

Nutrition Facts

Gajar Ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa

Amount Per Serving

Calories 290 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15g 23%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 40mg 13%

Sodium 118mg 5%

Potassium 517mg 15%

Total Carbohydrates 34g 11%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 27g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin A 281.7%

Vitamin C 7.5%

Calcium 17.8%

Iron 3.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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