Carrot halwa also known as Gajar Ka Halwa is a popular Indian sweet also known as carrot pudding made using carrots, sugar, ghee and fried nuts. Festive occasions like Diwali or any special occasions is not fulfilled without this wonderful sweet. Carrot halwa with condensed milk makes best tasting carrot halwa. This halwa taste amazing when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Carrot Halwa
Carrot halwa is one of the popular recipe around the world. It is one of the most searched Indian sweets on the internet. I am sure every one loves a good bowl of warm carrot halwa.
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Recently carrot halwa with vanilla ice cream has become a very popular dessert in every restaurants which is one of my favourite apart from jamun with ice cream. Delicious halwa made using carrots simmered in milk and cooked in sugar. Carrot halwa with condensed milk is a very popular sweet all over india.
About Carrot Halwa Recipe
Gajar means carrot. Gajar ka halwa is a combination of nuts, milk, sugar, khoya and ghee with grated carrot. Halwa made using carrots cooked in ghee and simmered in milk and cooked till halwa consistency. Indian carrot pudding made with freshly grated carrots. Halwa taste amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Carrot halwa recipe is a popular dessert all over India. This particular halwa is made using carrots, milkmaid which adds more richness to the halwa. You can make carrot halwa with sugar and skip the condensed milk too.
Every special occasions gets even special with this traditional carrot halwa. Some other popular sweets like Wheat Halwa, Custard Powder Halwa, Badam Halwa or this Cornflour Halwa can be tried too.
Gajar ka halwa or gajar halwa is a type of Indian pudding which is very popular all over the world. Traditionally this halwa is made with the Indian red carrots also known as desi carrots.
These carrots are bright red in colour, slender and longer than regular carrots. Desi carrots are sweeter than regular carrots. But you can use whatever carrot you can find.
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Ingredients
- Carrots – you can use desi carrot or regular carrot. what ever you use grate it finely. somedays I grate it using large grater as well.
- Milk – use full fat milk for richer and tasty carrot halwa.
- Ghee – always when making indian sweets try to get the pure desi ghee for best tasting halwa.
- Nuts – use mixture of nuts as you prefer. I usually use cashews, almonds, pistachios.
- Condensed milk – this is entirely optional but adding milk maid makes it super rich and yummy.
- Sugar – of course you need a hefty amount of sugar to make this sweet. but you can adjust it totally to your taste.
Step by Step Pictures
Grating Carrots
1)You can use regular carrots or desi carrots for making carrot halwa. First step is to peel the carrots and grate them. You can use box grater or food processor to grate. I prefer using food processor to make my life easier.
Frying Nuts & Dried Fruits
2)Heat ghee in a pot. Add just 1 to 2 tablespoon of ghee. This ghee is for frying dried fruits and nuts, and sauteing grated carrots.
3) Add in cashews in the ghee. You can add additional nuts like almonds, pistachios in carrot halwa.
4)Once the cashews gets light golden brown. Add in golden raisins | sultanas. If you add raisins along with cashews, it might get burnt.
5)Strain the fried dried fruits and nuts using a slotted spoon and set aside.
Cooking the carrots
6)Once you remove dried fruits, add in grated carrots and saute for 5 to 6 minutes till raw smell leaves from the carrot.
7)Pour in milk. For tastier carrot halwa, you have to cook the carrots completely in milk.
8)Cover the pot with lid and cook on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes till carrot is completely cooked through and milk has reduced.
9)Now the carrot is cooked completely and reduced.
10)Add in sugar. You can adjust the sugar quantity as per your taste.
11)Mix the sugar into the halwa. The sugar will melt down and mix into the halwa.
12)Now add ghee little at a time and cook till halwa starts to thickens.
13)Now add in milkmaid and mix well. Instead of milkmaid you can use khoya too.
14)The carrot halwa is cooked once ghee starts to leave the sides of the pan.
15)Add in fried nuts, dried fruits and cardamom powder. Mix well.
16)Carrot halwa is done.
17)You can serve carrot halwa with vanilla ice cream.
Expert Tips
Carrots – Use fresh, tender carrots that are red in colour which provides natural sweetness and colour to your carrot halwa. Use thicker grates to shred your carrots if you want your halwa to have texture. Fine grate can be used for more pudding like carrot halwa.
Milk – Full fat milk results in richer and milky tasting carrot halwa. For lighter option, You can use 2% milk for better taste. Almond milk, coconut milk can be used for vegan option.
Ghee – Desi ghee which provides the nutty caramel aroma to every Indian sweets, use generous amount of ghee for richer taste. For lighter option, you can reduce ghee quantity too.
Khoya – Homemade khoya or mawa is preferred. But store bought can be used. Grate your khoya or mawa.
Patience & Time – Never make carrot halwa if you are in a hurry. Carrot halwa needs some love, time and patience. Take your time, you need constant stirring, but in the end everything is worth it.
FAQ
Q: Can I make Gajar ka halwa with milk powder?
Yes you can. ¼ cup of milk powder added to carrot halwa enhances the flavour and gives the thick pudding texture to the halwa.
Q: How to cook carrot halwa in an instant pot?
Set your instant pot to saute mode. Add ghee and let it heat. Once the ghee is hot add carrots and saute for 5 mins. Pour milk, cover the instant pot with a lid. cook for 15 mins. Once the carrot is cooked, add in sugar, condensed milk if using. Saute this for at least 10 mins so it gets thick. Slowly add little ghee and fried nuts and mix well. Once the mixture gets in halwa consistency, serve.
Q: Can I make carrot halwa in pressure cooker?
Making carrot halwa in pressure cooker is very healthy. Cooking in pressure cooker consumes very less ghee when compared to other method. Follow same recipe measurements as mentioned in the recipe card, but use a pressure cooker instead. You need to cook it for 2 whistle.
Q: How to make carrot halwa vegan?
Replace regular milk with almond milk and ghee with vegan butter can easily tranform this traditional carrot halwa to vegan version. Instead of almond milk, coconut milk can be used.
Q: Is Gajar Ka Halwa Healthy?
When compared to other indian sweets gajar has much more nutrients and less fat. It totally depends on how much ghee or sugar you are using in your halwa. Be conscious and adjust it accordingly to make carrot halwa a healthy dessert.
Q: When is Carrot halwa served?
At festival time many people prefer vegetarian dishes as well as desserts in their Thali. Gajar ka halwa is a popular dessert all over India and often served at most festivals. The dish is popular among adults as well as children.
Q: When was carrot halwa invented?
The gajar ka halwa was first introduced during the Mughal period. Gajar ka halwa (meaning pudding of carrot or Halwa of carrot). It is very popular across the world, but it is more of a punjabi dessert.
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Carrot Halwa Recipe (Traditional Gajar Ka Halwa)
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Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Carrot Halwa Recipe (Traditional Gajar Ka Halwa)
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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