Name: Gajar Ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 10-12
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 kg, red carrot, grated; 120 g (1/2 cup) ghee; 2 teaspoons, cardamom powder; 200 gms, khowa/mawa; 2 & 1/2 cup, 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; A very generous big pinch of saffron soaked in 1 tablespoon of milk (optional); 1/4 cup rasins

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Gajar Ka Halwa or Carrot halwa – An utterly delicious traditional sweet made of coarsely grated red carrots, slow cooked in ghee, milk, khowa and sugar is just remarkable. Yes, I just expressed poetically how tasty gajar ka halwa in winter actually is. 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 pudding which is also known as Gajrela does not need a great explanation. Because, its 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 just restricted to festivals. 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 as it on the flame 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
If you do not have the access to khowa or mawa, then double the amount of full fat milk and simmer the carrots in it.
Or add condensed milk to halwa instead of khowa. But, be sure to check the amount of sugar in that 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?

Trust me, I never opt to make halwa in pressure cooker as it really spoils the taste. Slow-cooked gajar ka halwa is the only way to get the authentic taste of the dish, true labour of love.

But, if you have time crunch, you can fry the grated carrot in hot ghee for 3-4 minutes.
Then, add milk and bring it to a boil. Cover and cook 1 whistle on high and 5 minutes on low.
Allow the pressure to release on its own. Add saffron milk, khowa, sugar, nuts and cook on high stirring continuously until ghee releases out.
You can also make carrot halwa in a slow cooker.

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 (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)