What image comes to you when you hear the word “Gajar Ka Halwa”? Gajar Halwa / गाजर का हलवा or Carrot Halwa is not food, its an emotion, its sentiment, its love. This is probably the most common halwa that one would be familiar with in the Indian subcontinent. Here is carrot halwa recipe.
Table of contents
What is gajar halwa
Gajar halwa or carrot halwa is a traditional Indian dessert. To make this pudding slice fresh carrots and slow cook in milk along with nuts, mawa and sugar. Finally flavour the halwa with cardamom powder and garnish with nuts. Carrot halwa is a most popular sweet of northern India during winters.
From decades this gajar halwa has ruled heart of millions. Most of people will have story to share linked with this traditional Gajar halwa.
I have my stories, like how my mum used to make it in winter and how I used to fight with my brother to get bigger share of halwa.
The process of making Gajar Halwa is really simple, however takes effort. Process comprises of grating carrots and then cooking it on slow heat in milk till milk evaporates. The sweetness comes from carrots as well as topping with sugar. To get the best taste, you need to add “mava”/ “khoya“, which is nothing but lump of milk left after evaporating milk.
Method to make Gajar Ka Halwa
- First of all, peel, wash and grate fresh carrots.
- Heat a heavy bottom Pan / Kadhai over medium heat and add Desi Ghee to it. Add grated carrots and roast them for 4-5 minutes.
- Add milk to it and let the carrots cook in milk. Keep stirring in between. When 90 percent of milk is evaporated, add sugar and mix well. Let the moisture from sugar evaporate.
- Now add khoya, chopped almonds, cashews and raisins and mix well. Let it cook till all the moisture evaporates.
- Add cardamom powder and mix well. Switch off the heat and garnish with chopped nuts.
Tips for making best gajar ka halwa
- Fresh Carrots – To make best tasting halwa, always use fresh red carrots. Use young and tender carrots. Big, old and mature carrots are fibrous and are less sweet.
- Choice of milk – Always use whole milk aka full fat milk. Full fat milk gives best taste.
- Grating of carrots – Grate carrots using hand held grater, or use a food processor. Whichever way you grate carrots, you need to make sure that carrot juice is not lost while grating.
- Choice of pan – The pan or kadai needs to be heavy bottom. This will avoid burning of halwa.
- Use Mawa / Khoya – Many people use only milk, however if you like the coarse texture and better taste, use mava. I always use mava in my carrot halwa. You can use instant mawa halwa recipe to make mawa.
This carrot halwa
- Has a straight forward recipe
- Tastes awesome and nothing short of divine.
- Is vegan if using vegan milk (Almond milk).
- Kids and adults love it.
Instant pot Gajar Halwa
It is super easy to make gajar halwa in instant pot. There is no need for stirring as needed in traditional halwa. Instant pot halwa needs less milk.
Serving suggestion for carrot halwa
Serve gajar ka halwa hot or cold as you like and top up halwa with nuts before serving. Try serving hot gajar halwa with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream for new flavour.
If you are a halwa lover, you may like to try some of the follow halwa recipes:
Without much delay, I will now share the detailed step by step recipe of Gajar Halwa.
Recipe Card
Easy Gajar Halwa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 Kgs Fresh Carrots
- 1 Litre Full Fat Milk
- 120-150 Grams Sugar
- 4 Tablespoon Ghee / Clarified Butter
- 4 Tablespoon Almonds Chopped
- 4 Tablespoon Cashews Chopped
- 4 Tablespoon Raisins
- 2 Teaspoon Cardamom Powder
- 200 Grams Mava / Khoya
Instructions
- First of all, peel, wash and grate fresh carrots.
- Heat a heavy bottom Pan/Kadhai over medium heat and add Desi Ghee to it. Add grated carrots and roast them for 4-5 minutes.
- Add milk to it and let the carrots cook in milk. Keep stirring in between. When 90 percent of milk is evaporated, add sugar and mix well. Let the moisture from sugar evaporate.
- Now add khoya, chopped almonds, cashews and raisins and mix well. Let it cook till all the moisture evaporates.
- Add cardamom powder and mix well. Switch off the heat and garnish with chopped nuts. Serve hot and enjoy…
Notes
- For best results use tender and juicy carrots.
- I have used british carrots in my recipe but you can use red carrots as well.
- Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste.
- Whilst I have used a few nuts to enhance the taste, you may skip it.