It is very rich, creamy, tasty with the goodness of khoya and milk, nuts and natural sweetness of carrots. This so easy and fuss-free dessert is a near-universal treat during any Indian festival and happy occasion! Whenever there is a celebration in our house, carrot halwa and Gulab Jamun, are always neck to neck as they are both equally a favourite.
WHAT IS GAJAR HALWA?
Gajar Halwa translates as Carrot Pudding, one of the most popular Indian dessert that is originated from the region of North India. Although this sumptuous sweet is eaten throughout the year in India, it’s the best benefit is believed to be during winter. Pure bliss in winter and it is almost mandatory in every Indian household. Gajar Halwa prepared with fresh carrots, sugar and milk, sometimes khoya added too. This dish is easy to make but is time-consuming. Many try shortcuts but for an authentic taste prepare the traditional way by boiling carrots in milk for a long time.
INGREDIENTS FOR GAJAR HALWA
=> Vegetables-The main Ingredient of this dessert is Carrot. Although you can use any colour carrot in this recipe. I love to use red carrots aka ‘Delhi Carrots’ from India which are only available during the winter season here. => Dairy-The second ingredient you must need is milk, again you can use any type of milk but for the rich and creamy taste and texture, I would recommend whole milk. Also, we need Khoya ( Indian solids ) but if you can’t find use full-fat milk powder. If you can’t get milk powder, use the double amount of milk and cook the halwa for longer. => Sweetener– For this recipe white granulated sugar works absolutely fine but again for a sugarfree version use any sweetener. => Nuts– I love to use almonds, cashews and pistachio for this recipe. If one is not available, no problem at all. => Spices– Almost every Indian desserts require cardamom powder, so for this dessert too.
DIFFERENT METHODS OF MAKING INDIAN CARROT DESSERT
Gajar ka halwa is also prepared by various methods to save time and energy. One of the popular ways currently is the instant pot method. Instead of slow cooking carrots with milk on the stove top, here carrots are cooked with small amount of milk but fast in the cooker. Then khoya, sugar and ghee are added and cooked till the halwa thickens. There is another method which is easy and quick to make halwa is in the microwave. Simply cook grated carrots with ghee in the microwave-safe bowl, then milk, sugar and mawa added, cook for another 10 minutes and voila! Gajar no halvo also can be done in an Indian pressure cooker.
CONDENSED MILK CARROT KA HALWA
With condensed milk, this halwa can be done so quick and fast. you won’t require normal sugar for this method.
CAN I MAKE VEGAN GAJAR HALWA?
Of course, you can use any nut milk instead of dairy milk and ghee. To thicken the halwa use cashew paste.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Gajar Halwa is a dessert and confectionery. If you want to serve as a dessert, serve Gajar Halwa at the end of the Indian spicy meal. You can serve loose and hot with ice cream or without or even cold. If you want to serve as a confectionery, once the halwa is done, set in a tray, after a couple of hours cut into the desired shape and consume any time or give it as an edible gift.
STORAGE AND FREEZING
HOW TO PREPARE GAJAR KA HALWA?
- First clean, wash and peel carrots and grate them. 2. In a heavy bottom pan or kadai heat some ghee then add grated carrots.
- Saute carrots in ghee for a couple of minutes, add milk and keep cooking till milk almost dries up. 4. Add sugar and half of the ghee, keep stirring until all the sugar water evaporates.
- Add khoya and keep mixing. 6. Let the halwa cook until ghee starts separating from the halwa.
- Add cardamom powder and add slivered nuts and cashews. 8. Mix well, serve hot or cold.
INSTANT POT GAJAR HALWA
Note:- This post was originally posted in December 2010 but I have updated the post since with newer photos and content.
