Carrot halwa or gajar ka halwa is a traditional Indian dessert recipe made with grated carrots, sugar, milk solids and loads of dry fruits. Learn how to make carrot halwa or gajar ka halwa the easiest and quickest way.
I have been trying to put up a post for a long time, but I am facing some tech issue on the site which I am yet to fix. Sometimes the extra work that you need to do keep the site running can be daunting! But you know there’s always a dessert to lighten the mood.
I have been making multiple batches of carrot halwa lately because both the men in the house has taken a liking to it. The little one specially has become very fond of it. Winters is the season for these gorgeous red carrots which we also call ‘Dilli ka gajar’ or Gajar from Delhi. It’s probably one of the easiest Indian dessert recipes you can find. Its fast, its easy and its super-duper yum.
There are few ways of making the carrot halwa or the Gajar ka halwa, as it is called in Hindi. You could boil it milk, sugar and condensed milk or my way – the easiest and yummiest way with khoya kheer or milk solids.
What is Khoya Kheer?
Khoya kheer, also known as khova are milk solids. It is made of either dried whole milk or milk thickened by heating in an open iron pan. It is also known as Mawa in some parts of India and South East Asia. You can make them yourself – but that is the longer route. In India you get packaged unsweetened khoya in groceries and I use them in my desserts. If you have not bought khoya earlier and wondering where to look for it in your super market, check the cooling units where you get paneer, tofu, yogurt or butter.
Which Carrots to Use in Carrot Halwa?
You can use any kind of carrots – orange or red. But I prefer using the red long ones that you get in winters in India. That is the reason why I wait for the winters to make this dessert.
Dry Fruits
This carrot halwa recipe calls for dry fruits like cashew, raisins, pistachio, almonds – add whatever you want. All good things will make it only better!
- Carrots – 4 large, peeled and grated
- Ghee/ Clarified Butter – 3 tablespoons
- Green Cardamom – 2 crushed
- Cinnamon – ½ inch stick
- Sugar – 1 cup
- Khoya Kheer / milk solids – 1 cup , crumbled
- Dry Fruits – 1 cup of raisin, cashew, pistachio, almond – soaked in water and chopped
- In a large pan heat ghee or clarified butter till smoking hot
- Add crushed cardamom and cinnamon stick
- Add the grated carrots to this and fry in medium heat
- The carrots will release water. Let the carrot cook it in own moisture.
- Once the water starts reducing add the sugar and keep stirring
- As the sugar heats and melts the carrot will start getting darker in color – that is exactly what we want
- When the carrots are all wilted and become sticky add the khoya kheer/milk solids
- Stir well till the milk solids are incorporated well
- Add the chopped dry fruits.
- Serve Warm
You might like other Indian Desserts
Payesh – Indian Rice Pudding
This looks so tempting, Tina! * Wow! that rhymed beautifully ” Tempting Tina” 😀 *
My mother used to prepare it in winters, when I was in my hometown. It’s been a long time since I ate it. Five long years, since I couldn’t get the chance to visit my home during winters. 🙁 I always crave for it. Well, the pictures are enough for me to drool. 😀 Whenever am going to come to Bangalore, your place will be there on the top in my list to drop by and have some scrumptious delicacies. *invited myself shamelessly* 🙂
Any day Saumy. We are all in love with our gajar ka halwa – did you know some poeple call it gajrela too?
Oh…that I didn’t know.
What a yummy and easy recipe.Loved the super simple way you explained the steps to.make this delicious. Desert
Thank you Amrita. Yes it’s easy and we love it at home
You arena dessert queen, I tell you. I love Gajjar halwa. Never tried making it though. I should. Thanks for the recipe.
Gajar ka halwa is my favourite sweet dish. Will defo try this out… thanks so much Tina 🙂