Gajar Halwa | Carrot Halwa | Carrot Pudding

Gajar Halwa, also known as Carrot Halwa or Carrot Pudding, is a classic Indian dessert that is rich, creamy, and absolutely delightful. Originating from North India, this sweet delicacy is made by slow-cooking grated carrots with milk, sugar, and ghee (clarified butter). Flavored with aromatic cardamom and garnished with roasted nuts, Gajar Halwa is traditionally prepared during festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Raksha Bandhan. Its warm, comforting taste makes it a favorite among both children and adults. In this recipe, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of making this delectable dessert at home, ensuring that you achieve the perfect taste and consistency to impress your family and friends.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Main ingredient: Carrot
Yield: 1 bowl
Bowl measurement: 1 bowl = 250ml

Quick Navigation:

• Ingredients
• Procedure
• Step 1: Sauté the Grated Carrots in Ghee
• Step 2: Cook the Carrots with Milk
• Step 3: Let the Mixture Simmer
• Step 4: Add Sugar to the Mixture
• Step 5: Add Cardamom Powder
• Step 6: Add More Ghee and Finish Cooking
• Step 7: Fry the Nuts for Garnishing
• Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Ingredients

Fresh carrots: 4 bowls, peeled and grated

Sugar: 1 bowl (preferably sulphur-less organic sugar)

Boiled whole milk: 1 bowl

Cardamom (Elaichi): 5-6 pods

Cashews (Kaju): A few, for garnishing

Soaked almonds (Badam): A few, peeled and sliced

Clarified butter (Ghee): 3 tablespoons

Procedure

Step 1: Sauté the Grated Carrots in Ghee

In a thick-bottomed kadai or pan, heat 1 tablespoon of clarified butter (ghee) over medium flame. Add the grated carrots to the pan and stir-fry them for about 5 minutes. This process enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots and reduces their raw aroma.

Step 2: Cook the Carrots with Milk

Add 1 bowl of boiled whole milk to the sautéed carrots. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the flame to low and let it simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Allow the carrots to cook in the milk for about 5 minutes until they become soft and the milk starts to reduce.

Step 3: Let the Mixture Simmer

Cover the pan with a lid and continue to cook on low flame for an additional 3 minutes. This helps the carrots to fully absorb the milk, becoming tender and flavorful.

Step 4: Add Sugar to the Mixture

Once the milk has mostly evaporated, add 1 bowl of sugar to the pan. Mix thoroughly and cook on medium flame. Keep stirring continuously for about 3 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture becomes slightly syrupy.

Step 5: Add Cardamom Powder

Crush the cardamom pods into a fine powder and add it to the halwa. Stir well to evenly distribute the cardamom flavor. Continue to cook on medium flame, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. This allows the halwa to thicken and the flavors to meld together.

Step 6: Add More Ghee and Finish Cooking

Add another tablespoon of clarified butter (ghee) to the halwa. Stir continuously over medium flame. You'll notice the halwa starting to leave the sides of the pan and the ghee separating slightly, indicating it's done. Turn off the flame when the halwa reaches a thick, moist consistency.

Step 7: Fry the Nuts for Garnishing

In a separate small pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of clarified butter (ghee) over low flame. Add the sliced soaked almonds first and fry for about 30 seconds. Then, add the cashews and continue to fry until both almonds and cashews turn golden brown. Stir constantly to prevent them from burning.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the hot Gajar Halwa to a serving bowl. Garnish it with the roasted almonds and cashews, spreading them evenly over the top. The crunchy nuts add a wonderful texture contrast to the soft halwa.

Serve the Gajar Halwa hot and enjoy its rich, comforting flavors.

For an indulgent twist, serve the Gajar Halwa with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of warm halwa and cold ice cream creates a delightful dessert experience that's hard to resist.

Enjoy this delicious homemade Gajar Halwa with your loved ones. It's a perfect dessert to conclude any meal and is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. Whether it's a festive occasion or a regular day, this traditional sweet dish brings joy and warmth to every table!