Carrot Halwa, popularly known as Gajar Ka Halwa or Gajar Halwa, is a classic and rich, decadent melt-in-mouth Indian pudding dessert packed with dry fruits and nuts. A sweet that will impress everyone.
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How did you celebrate Janmashtami? We had a good time with our little one. We dressed him like Krishna, prepared gajbaje, basundi, panchakajjaya offered to God, and then shared it with our friends as prasad. I will soon share the pictures of the same on my Instagram Stories.
We are excited about the Ganesha-chaturthi festival that is coming up soon. You can check some popular recipes for Ganesha chaturthi. This year, we are still deciding on the menu. But I generally pick recipes from this list as this is what is traditionally prepared in my hometown. What do you guys prepare for this festival? Overall, I am always excited about the last 4 months of the year because they are full of life, beautiful colors, festivals, celebrations, and get-togethers everywhere:-)
Carrot Sweets and Desserts
Carrot desserts and sweets are one of my favorites. You can check some of the best carrot recipes on my blog like
- Carrot Cake or Gajar Halwa Cake using this carrot halwa
- Carrot Barfi
- Carrot Ice Cream using carrot burfi
About the recipe
Carrot halwa or Gajar ka halwa, also known as gajorer halua, gajrela, or gajar pak, is a carrot-based Indian sweet dessert pudding made by grated carrots, milk, butter or ghee, dry fruits and condensed milk (milkmaid), khoya, or sugar.
Carrot halwa is prepared during special occasions, including parties, festivals like Deepavali (Diwali), Christmas, Holi, Eid, Raksha Bandhan, and weddings.
If you search the Internet, you will get different ways to prepare this delicious dessert.
Different ways of making carrot halwa or gajar halwa
Traditionally whole milk is used, which is time-consuming, however for a richer & flavorful version, mawa or khoya is used, and if you are looking for a shortcut version without compromising the taste, then use condensed milk (milkmaid) which is my favorite method 🙂
The traditional method requires patience, time, and elbow grease to grate the carrot and then frequently stir while cooking.
So depending on the time and ingredients available in your kitchen, you can choose one way.
- The traditional old-fashioned method with milk
- My preferred way is carrot halwa with condensed milk (milkmaid) in less than 20 minutes.
- Healthy Carrot Halwa with jaggery
- Gajar Halwa with Khoya - a rich version prepared specially during festivals and weddings.
- Gajar Ka Halwa with milk powder - If you have a lot of milk powder available in your pantry that you need to use up or when you are short of milk use this method
Ingredients for Carrot Halwa
- 3 cups Carrots tightly packed (peeled & grated)
- 2 tablespoon Butter or Ghee
- 4 tablespoon Milk
- 6 tablespoon Condensed milk
- ¼ teaspoon Cardamom powder
- 2 tablespoon Cashews roasted
- 2 tablespoon Almonds roasted
- 2 tablespoon Pistachios roasted
- 2 tablespoon Raisins
How to make gajar ka halwa with condensed milk (milkmaid)?
- In a nonstick pan on medium heat, melt the butter. Add the grated carrots and saute on medium flame till the carrots are tender and cooked and any extra moisture has dried out. This step may take around 5 to 8 minutes.
- Now add milk and stir till all the milk has dried out. This step may take about 2 minutes.
- Next, add condensed milk and stir nicely. Add cardamom powder and dry fruits & nuts of your choice now.
- Simmer on low flame and stir the halwa till the mixture dries up. Keep stirring to avoid burning from the bottom.
- Carrot Halwa is ready. Serve warm or bring it to room temperature and keep in refrigerator and serve chill.
Pro Tips
- Depending on the quantity you need, vary the ingredient amounts. The sweetness I used was perfect for my family. If you like it sweeter, then add additional sugar.
- Continuously saute the carrots in ghee or butter and then add milk, followed by condensed milk. This will give you a much intense flavor.
- Do not leave the carrot halwa on the gas or stove unattended. It can be burnt easily. Keep stirring it during the process.
- When it comes to adding dry fruits and nuts, I always love to roast them as they give additional aroma and add a little extra crunch. Depending on your liking, vary the amount and type of nuts used in the recipe.
- You can add ghee or butter up to 4 tbsp. I generally like to cut down on fat in my recipes.
- Store carrot halwa in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- You can make this dessert richer by adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk powder.
Instant pot carrot halwa
Turn on the SAUTE mode of your IP. Add carrots and ghee and saute just for 1 minute. This gives good color and flavor. To this, add milk, condensed milk, and mix.
Close the lid. Set the valve to the sealing position and pressure cook on HIGH for 2 minutes. Now do quick pressure release by positioning the valve to the venting position. Open the lid of your IP once the pin drops.
Turn on the SAUTE mode again and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until all the liquid dries up, if any. Add dry fruits, nuts, and cardamom powder and cook for another 1 minute, stirring continuously. Instant pot carrot halwa or gajar halwa is ready.
How to serve gajar halwa?
Carrot Halwa dessert can be served warm or chilled. I like to serve it as dessert after a meal with vanilla ice cream. My husband likes to have it any time of the day 🙂
If you are serving it chill, ensure the halwa comes to room temperature and then place it in the refrigerator.
In cold winters, carrot halwa is best when served hot.
Popular Indian Sweets & Desserts
- Milk Barfi or Milk Fudge - The number one recipe on blog
- Nankhatai or Shortbread Biscuits
- Rice Pudding or Kheer or Doodhpak
- Bombay Halwa (halva)
Follow me on Instagram and tag me with #cookwithkushi so that I get a chance to see all the recipes you make and give it a ♥.
FAQ
For good results, ensure the carrots you use are fresh, juicy, and tender. I grate them using a cheese grater. If you don't find time, you can even use food processor. I have used 3 cups of grated carrots, which yields 1 cup of carrot halwa.
It may depend on the way you saute them or the vessel you use to make halwa. I recommend using nonstick pan or steel over aluminum Kadai as it may cause discoloration when cooking for a longer time. Do not saute carrots for a longer time. Saute just till the moisture from the carrots have dried out.
Store gajar halwa in the refrigerator for up to two weeks (14 to 15 days). Please do not keep it out at room temperature for more than two days. It won't remain fresh.
To reheat, microwave for 30 seconds or heat directly on the stovetop on low heat until warmed.
I love to build on recipes so I can serve my family various desserts. I have prepared something special using carrot halwa - Carrot Halwa Cake - Don't forget to check this out. This a perfect baking recipe for this holiday or Christmas.
For condensed milk, use full-fat coconut cream; for milk, use dairy-free milk; for butter or ghee, use coconut oil to make it vegan. Follow the same steps given above. But the taste will vary accordingly.
You can make this a healthy one by using low-fat milk for regular milk, and instead of condensed milk or refined sugar, you can finely grind the dates to coarse paste and add it to the recipe.
Recipe card
Best Carrot Halwa Recipe | How to make Gajar Halwa
Equipment
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- 3 cups Carrots tightly packed (peeled & grated)
- 2 to 4 tablespoon Butter or Ghee
- 4 tablespoon Milk
- 6 tablespoon Condensed milk
- ¼ teaspoon Cardamom powder
- 2 tablespoon Cashews roasted
- 2 tablespoon Almonds roasted
- 2 tablespoon Pistachios roasted
- 2 tablespoon Raisins
Instructions
How to make Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa) on Stovetop
- In a non-stick pan on medium heat, melt the butter. Add the grated carrots and saute on medium flame till the carrots are tender and cooked, and any extra moisture has dried out. This may take around 5 to 8 minutes.3 cups Carrots tightly packed (peeled & grated), 2 to 4 tablespoon Butter or Ghee
- Now add milk and stir till all the milk has dried out. This may take about 2 minutes.4 tablespoon Milk
- Next add condensed milk and stir nicely. Add cardamom powder, and dry fruits & nuts of your choice now.6 tablespoon Condensed milk, ¼ teaspoon Cardamom powder, 2 tablespoon Cashews roasted, 2 tablespoon Almonds roasted, 2 tablespoon Pistachios roasted, 2 tablespoon Raisins
- Simmer on low flame and stir the halwa till the mixture dries up. Keep stirring them to avoid it burning from the bottom.
- Carrot Halwa is ready. Serve warm or bring it to room temperature and keep in refrigerator and serve chill.
How to make Instant pot Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)
- Turn on the SAUTE mode of your IP. Add carrots and ghee and saute just for 1 minute. This gives good color and flavor. To this, add milk, condensed milk, and mix.
- Close the lid. Set the valve to sealing position and pressure cook on HIGH for 2 minutes. Now do quick pressure release by positioning valve to the venting position. Open the lid of your IP once the pin drops.
- Turn on the SAUTE mode again and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes till all the liquid dries up, if any. Add dry fruits, nuts, cardamom powder and cook for another 1 minute, stirring continuously. Instant pot carrot halwa or gajar halwa is ready.
Notes
- Depending on the quantity you need, vary the ingredient amounts. The sweetness I used was perfect for my family. If you like it sweeter, then add additional sugar.
- Continuously saute the carrots in ghee or butter and then add milk, followed by condensed milk. This will give you a much intense flavor.
- Do not leave the carrot halwa on the gas or stove unattended. It can be burnt easily. Keep stirring it during the process.
- When it comes to adding dry fruits and nuts, I always love to roast them as they give additional aroma and add a little extra crunch. Depending on your liking, vary the amount and type of nuts used in the recipe.
- You can add ghee or butter up to 4 tbsp. I generally like to cut down on fat in my recipes.
- Store carrot halwa in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk powder can make this dessert richer.
Nutrition
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Vineeta
I sautéed the carrots in ghee and the halwa has turned black. I have cooked in a stainless steel cookware. I have come across this post now. Thank you for the tip above. Now the halwa is cooked, wanted to know if I can the black halwa
Kushi
Did you overheat the ghee before adding carrots or did you saute for a really long time?
Vineeta
Hello Kushi,
I think I sautéed the carrots for a long time.
The whole dish looks chocolatey brown. Do I discard it?
Kushi
I am sorry but If it is unpleasant to eat or even see please discard it. You will not enjoy it. Next time do give our recipe a try. Thanks.
Vineeta
Thank you, The look is so chocolatey 😉 but don't find it appealing.
I have discarded and will make it again. I will surely try it your way this time 🙂
Jamie
The recipe looks so yummy! The presentation is so great, loved it! This dish is new to me but gives me an enticing and tempting to try this asap! Definitely love to know the taste personally!
Amy Liu Dong
This is an interesting dish for me. I have never tried to make this, but it looks easy and delicious!
Maggie
I had never tasted anything like this before. Very delicious. Sweet and yummy.
zhen
The nuts gave this recipe a delicious crunch! Everyone loved it, even those who don't like carrots!