Carrot Halwa / Gajar Ka Halwa

Carrot halwa, also known as gajar ka halwa, is a traditional Indian dessert that is made with simple ingredients like carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee. This sweet and creamy dish is usually served during festivals, special occasions, and as a dessert after a meal. What makes carrot halwa unique is its rich and indulgent taste, along with the nutritious benefits of carrots. In this blog, we will explore the step-by-step process of making this delicious Indian sweet at home. So, let's get started and indulge in the aromatic flavors of carrot halwa.

What Is Carrot Halwa?

• Carrot halwa, also known as gajar ka halwa, is a traditional Indian dessert made from grated carrots, full-fat milk, sugar, and ghee. This delightful dessert is flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts such as cashews, raisins, almonds, and pistachios.
• The combination of succulent carrots, creamy milk, and aromatic Indian spices creates a rich, sweet, and satisfying dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The unique seasoning of ghee, cardamom, and nuts adds a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor to this classic Indian dessert.

Why You'll Love Carrot Halwa?

• Deliciously Creamy Texture: Carrot halwa has a rich and creamy texture that melts in your mouth, making it a delightful dessert or sweet treat.
• Packed with Nutrients: Carrots are a great source of beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants, making carrot halwa a healthier dessert option.
• Naturally Sweetened: The natural sweetness of carrots combined with a modest amount of sugar makes carrot halwa a healthier alternative to traditional desserts.
• Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, carrot halwa is a dessert that you can easily make at home.
• Versatile Serving Options: You can enjoy carrot halwa hot, warm, or cold, making it a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed in any season.
• Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether it's a festive celebration or a family gathering, carrot halwa is a popular and well-loved dessert that is sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients for Carrot Halwa

• Carrots: Carrots add natural sweetness and a vibrant orange color to the dish, while also providing a soft and slightly crunchy texture.
• Milk: Full fat milk lends creaminess to the carrot halwa and helps in binding all the ingredients together.
• Sugar: Sugar sweetens the dessert and balances out the natural earthy flavor of the carrots.
• Ghee: Ghee is used for frying the cashews and raisins, and also for enhancing the richness and flavor of the carrot halwa.
• Cashews and Raisins: These nuts and dried fruits add a delightful crunch and sweetness to the dessert, as well as a hint of nuttiness.
• Cardamom Powder: Cardamom powder adds a warm and aromatic flavor to the carrot halwa, complementing the sweetness of the dish.

In addition to these main ingredients, almonds and pistachios are used for garnishing the carrot halwa, adding a lovely crunch and a pop of color.

How To Make Carrot Halwa?

Carrot halwa is a classic Indian dessert loved by many. Follow these simple steps to make a delicious batch of carrot halwa at home.

• Begin by washing, peeling, and grating the carrots. You can use a food processor or grate them by hand for this step.
• Heat a heavy-bottomed non-stick pan with 3 tsp of ghee over low heat. Once the ghee has melted and heated, add cashews and fry them until they are browned. Then add raisins and fry them until they are puffed. Remove them from the pan and set them aside for later use.
• Now, add the grated carrots and a pinch of salt to the same pan and sauté or cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they become soft.
• Add the milk and mix well. Allow the milk to come to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Cover and cook for 10 minutes over low heat, then increase the heat to medium and cook until the milk reduces to half in quantity.
• Once half of the milk has evaporated, add the sugar and mix well. Cook the carrots for an additional 20 minutes over low to medium heat until all the milk has evaporated.
• Add the remaining ghee and stir well. Then, add the cardamom powder and mix well.
• Once the mixture becomes thick, add the fried cashews and raisins, and then remove the pan from the heat.
• Garnish the carrot halwa with chopped almonds and pistachios before serving.

Following these steps will ensure that you create a flavorful and delicious batch of carrot halwa to enjoy as a hot, warm, or cold dessert.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with ice cream: Carrot halwa can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious and contrasting dessert.
• Serve with Biryani: Enjoy carrot halwa with a side of Biryani for a traditional and satisfying meal.
• Accompany with chai: Pairing carrot halwa with a hot cup of chai tea can elevate the flavors and create a comforting experience.
• Top with whipped cream: For a sweeter touch, add a dollop of whipped cream on top of the warm carrot halwa before serving.
• Side with fruit salad: Balance the richness of carrot halwa by serving it with a refreshing fruit salad for a complete and wholesome dessert.
• Garnish with rose petals: Add a touch of elegance by garnishing the carrot halwa with dried rose petals for a beautiful presentation.

Tips for Making Carrot Halwa

• Carrots: Try to buy tender and juicy carrots, so that they are easy to grate. You can use food processor to grate the carrots, obviously, the food processor makes this job much faster.
• Cooking Techniques: Use a heavy-bottomed non-stick pan to prevent burning, and ensure that the milk evaporates to the desired consistency.
• Garnishing Importance: Adding chopped almonds and pistachios not only enhances the flavor but also makes the dish visually appealing.
• Serving Temperature: Carrot halwa can be served hot, warm, or cold, depending on your preference.
• Consistency Check: It's important to cook the carrots until the milk evaporates and the mixture becomes thick to achieve the perfect texture.
• Storage: Leftover carrot halwa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Variations for Carrot Halwa

• Add a twist with fruit: Instead of the traditional ingredients, try adding fruits like pineapple, apple, or mango for a different flavor profile.
• Experiment with nuts: Instead of the usual cashews and raisins, try using different nuts like walnuts, pecans, or even macadamia nuts for added texture and flavor.
• Switch up the sweetener: Instead of using sugar, experiment with honey, maple syrup, or even jaggery for a unique sweetness.
• Spice it up: Add a touch of warmth and spice by incorporating cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a hint of ginger for a different take on the classic recipe.
• Dairy-free option: For a dairy-free version, substitute the full-fat milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a creamy and rich alternative.
• Add a dash of flavor: Get creative with flavorings by adding a splash of rose water, saffron, or even a hint of orange zest for a fragrant and unique twist.

How to Store Carrot Halwa

• Refrigeration: To maintain the freshness of carrot halwa, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. This will help to keep it fresh for several days.
• Freezing: You can also freeze carrot halwa for longer storage. Place the halwa in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• Thawing: When ready to eat, thaw the frozen carrot halwa in the refrigerator overnight. You can also reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
• Nuts and Dry Fruits: If you have leftover nuts and dry fruits used for garnishing, store them separately in airtight containers to maintain their crunchiness.
• Importance of Proper Storage: Proper storage of carrot halwa and its ingredients is essential to prevent spoilage and maintain the flavor and quality of the dish.
• Room Temperature: Keep in mind that carrot halwa should not be left at room temperature for too long, especially on hot days, as it can spoil quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I use as a substitute for full fat milk?

• You can use almond milk or coconut milk as a substitute for full fat milk. It will give a delicious and creamy texture to the carrot halwa.

Can I reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe?

• Yes, you can adjust the amount of sugar based on your preference. You can start by adding half the amount of sugar mentioned in the recipe and then taste and adjust accordingly.

How can I make this recipe vegan?

• To make this recipe vegan, you can use plant-based milk such as almond milk or coconut milk, and substitute ghee with vegan butter or coconut oil.

Can I make carrot halwa in advance?

• Yes, you can make carrot halwa in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Just reheat it before serving.

How can I enhance the flavor of the carrot halwa?

• You can enhance the flavor of the carrot halwa by adding a pinch of saffron strands while cooking the carrots. It will give a beautiful aroma and color to the dish.

Can I add other nuts in the recipe?

• Yes, you can add other nuts such as cashews, almonds, and pistachios to the carrot halwa as per your preference. It will give a delightful crunch and flavor to the dish.

Recipe Card

Carrot Halwa

Carrot Halwa  2018-08-05 03:02:25

Serves 4                             Print        

Prep Time   00:15        

Cook Time   00:45        

Total Time   01:00                      

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg carrots
• 500 ml full fat milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tsp ghee, divided
• 10 cashews
• 15 raisins
• pinch of salt
• dash of cardamom powder
• few almonds and pistachios for garnishing 

Instructions         

Preparations

• Firstly, wash, peel and then grate the carrots either by using a food processor or by hand.          

How to cook carrot halwa

• Heat a heavy bottomed non-stick pan with 3 tsp of ghee over low heat.
• When the ghee melts and heats, add cashews and fry until browned.
• Then add raisins and fry until puffed.
• Remove them from the pan and keep it aside for further use.
• Now add the grated carrots and salt to the same pan and saute or cook for 2 to 3 mins until they turn into soft.
• Then add milk and mix well.
• Let the milk comes to boil. Stir in between so that the milk does not get stick to the bottom.
• Cover and cook for 10 mins over low heat and then increase the heat to medium and cook until the milk reduces to half in quantity.
• When half of the milk evaporates add sugar and mix well.
• Once again, cook the carrots for 20 mins over low to medium heat until all the milk evaporates.
• Add the remaining ghee and stir well.
• Then add cardamom powder and mix well.
• Once the mixture becomes thick, add the cashews and raisins and then remove from the heat.
• While serving, garnish it with chopped almonds and pistachio.
• Serve carrot halwa hot, warm or you can also serve it cold.         

By Santhi Therese    The Indian Claypot

https://theindianclaypot.com/

Step-By-Step Instructions:

Firstly, wash, peel the carrots.

Then grate the carrots either by using a
food processor or by hand.

Heat a heavy bottomed non-stick pan
with 3 tsp of ghee over low heat.
When the ghee melts and heats,
add cashews and fry until browned.

Then add raisins and fry until puffed.

Now add the grated carrots and

salt to the same pan and saute or cook
for 2 to 3 mins until they turn into soft.

Then add milk and mix well. Stir in between
so that the milk does not get stick to the bottom.

Let the milk comes to boil. Cover and
cook for 10 mins over low heat and
then increase the heat to medium and
cook until the milk reduces to half in quantity.

When half of the milk evaporates
add sugar and mix well.

Once again, cook the carrots for 20 mins
over low to medium heat until all the milk
evaporates. Add the remaining ghee and stir well.

Then add cardamom powder and mix well.

Once the mixture becomes thick,
add the cashews and raisins and
then remove from the heat.