Indian

Gajar Ka Halwa

Gajar ka halwa cooks grated carrot down in milk until it darkens, then finishes it with ghee and nuts.

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Gajar Ka Halwa

1 hrtotal

Prep 15 min · Cook 45 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Medium
Spice
None

Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

Method

  1. In a heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai, heat a portion of the ghee. Roast the cashews, almonds, and raisins until golden. Remove and keep aside.

  2. In the same pan, add the grated carrots. Sauté on medium heat for 5-7 minutes until they slightly change color and shrink.

    5–7 min

  3. Pour the full-fat milk over the carrots. Mix well and bring to a gentle boil.

  4. Cook on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until almost all the milk is absorbed by the carrots (about 20-25 minutes).

    20–25 min

  5. Add the sugar and mix thoroughly. The mixture will release moisture again. Continue to cook until this moisture fully evaporates.

  6. Incorporate the remaining ghee and sauté for 5-6 minutes until the halwa becomes glossy and begins to leave the sides of the pan.

    5–6 min

  7. Stir in the crumbled khoya (if using), cardamom powder, and half of the roasted dry fruits. Mix beautifully for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.

    2 min

  8. Turn off the heat. Garnish thoughtfully with the remaining roasted nuts before serving.

How to tell it's done

The halwa should be rich, glossy, and moist but not runny, with soft yet distinct carrot shreds.

Nutrition

Per serving, from 2 servings.

366kcal

Where the calories come from

  • Protein6.8 g7%
  • Carbohydrate47.1 g50%
  • Fat18 g43%
Sugars
39 g
Saturated fat
8.6 g
Fibre
4.4 g
Sodium
140 mg
Calcium
195 mg
Iron
0.9 mg

Estimated by calculation from the ingredient list, using USDA FoodData Central. Not a laboratory analysis.

Getting it right

Tip

Sautéing carrots in ghee before adding milk enhances the color and stops the milk from curdling. Use Delhi red carrots for the best natural sweetness.

What to serve it with

Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream for an elevated dining experience.