Gajar Ka Halwa, or carrot halwa, is one of India’s most popular desserts. This rich and tasty dish is created with shredded carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee, flavored with cardamom, and garnished with almonds. The Gajar Ka Halwa recipe is simple to prepare yet incredibly gratifying, making it ideal for special occasions or as a comforting, warming treat. Here’s how to cook it at home!
Ingredients For Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe
- 1 kg fresh red carrots (grated)
- 1 liter full-fat milk
- 3/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 5-6 green cardamom pods (crushed or powdered)
- 1/2 cup khoya (optional, for richness)
- 10-12 cashews (chopped)
- 10-12 almonds (sliced)
- 10-12 pistachios (chopped)
- A few strands of saffron (optional, for flavor and color)
Step By Step Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe
1. Grate The Gajar
Peel and wash the carrots. Grate them using a fine grater. This ensures that they cook uniformly and the texture is nice.
2. Cook The Gajar In Milk
- Boil the milk in a big, heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai before cooking the carrots in it.
- Cook the shredded carrots over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid sticking.
- Allow the carrots to absorb the milk fully. This process might take 30-40 minutes.
3. Add Sugar And Cardamom
- When milk is reduced, add sugar and stir well.
- Use crushed cardamom for scent and taste.
- Continue cooking until the sugar melts and the mixture thickens more.
4. Add Ghee (clarified butter) And Nuts
- Toast cashews, almonds, and pistachios with ghee in a small pan.
- Add the ghee and toasted nuts to the halwa. Mix completely and simmer for a further 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Add Khoya And Saffron Strands (optional)
- You can also crumble khoya into the halwa and stir thoroughly. This adds a rich, creamy texture to the dish.
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Once the halwa has reached the appropriate consistency, turn off the heat.
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Garnish with nuts and saffron threads for an elegant finish.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Warm Delight
- Serve warm, straight from the pan, for a cozy and comforting dessert.
- Garnish with slivered almonds, pistachios, and a few strands of saffron for a rich touch.
- A dollop of ghee on top enhances the traditional flavor.
Chilled Treat
- Refrigerate and serve cold for a denser, fudgy texture.
- Add a scoop of vanilla or cardamom ice cream on the side for a delightful contrast.
- Drizzle with a bit of condensed milk or rose syrup for added richness.
Pro Tips For Perfect Gajar Ka Halwa
- For ideal flavor and sweetness, choose fresh red carrots.
- Cook over medium to low heat for rich, slow-cooked taste.
- Stir often to avoid burning.
- If you like a richer version, replace part of the milk with condensed milk.
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Recipe Card
Gajar Ka Halwa
Gajar ka Halwa, also known as carrot halwa, is a beloved North Indian dessert made by slow-cooking grated red carrots in full-fat milk, sweetened with sugar, enriched with ghee, and flavored with cardamom. Garnished with toasted nuts and saffron, this festive sweet is rich, comforting, and perfect for special occasions or winter indulgence.
Ingredients
Method
1. Grate Carrots
- Peel, wash, and finely grate carrots.
2. Cook with Milk
- Boil milk in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add grated carrots.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the milk is fully absorbed (30–40 minutes).
3. Add Sugar & Cardamom
- Mix in sugar and crushed cardamom.
- Cook until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens further.
4. Add Ghee & Nuts
- Toast chopped nuts in ghee. Add them to the halwa.
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring continuously.
5. Optional: Add Khoya
- Stir in crumbled khoya for a richer flavor and texture.
6. Final Touch
- Once thick and aromatic, turn off the heat.
- Garnish with nuts and saffron strands.
