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Home » Indian Sweets

Gajar ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa Recipe

Published: Sep 14, 2021 · Modified: Nov 3, 2022 by Motions and Emotions

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Gajar ka halwa or carrot halwa is a classic Indian sweet dish made with freshly grated carrots, ghee, and milk, as well as khoya and sugar. This carrot-based sweet dessert pudding is creamy and decadent. Gajar ka halwa is a popular dessert in India, especially during the winter months when the market is flooded with carrots. It is also known as gajar pak, gajrela, gajorer halua and many other names.

Digging Gajar ka halwa with a golden spoon from a dessert bowl  Side view

The halwa tastes the best when it is cooked by mom. I remember in my childhood every winter we used have carrot halwa quite often. Even in my college days when I used to come home, my mother used to prepare this dish especially for me.

Now following my mother's tradition, I prepare gajar ka halwa at least once during Winter months. Recently, I was craving for this halwa, especially looking at all the food posts in different social media. I could have it in a restaurant but frankly speaking my taste buds do not satiate with them. I feel they cook grated carrots in sugar syrup instead of milk (cost cutting idea I guess) and later sprinkle grated khoya on top which is quite awful.

As it takes a bit time (grating, slow cooking) and is high in calories, I try to make at least once or twice during winter to keep my taste buds and weighing scale in check.

Here I am answering few questions which will help a novice while cooking gajar a halwa.

Which types of carrots should be used for gajar ka halwa recipe?

Fresh red juicy carrots, which are plentiful during the winter months, are ideal for making gajar ka halwa because they are naturally sweet. However, you can prepare carrot halwa using regular orange carrots. This time I have used orange carrots as I got them in nearby market.

Can I use condensed milk in gajar ka halwa preparation?

Many people use condensed milk in gajar ka halwa preparation. The recipe of carrot halwa I have shared does not contain condensed milk.

However, if you want to use condensed milk, you have to reduce the quantity of milk, khoya and sugar to balance the taste. Use of milkmaid reduces the cooking time of the halwa.

Can I store Carrot Halwa?

Yes you can store carrot halwa in refrigerator in an airtight container for 10 to 12 days.

You can take out the required portion in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for few seconds before consuming it and keep the remaining portion in the refrigerator to consume later.

You can also have it chilled.

How can I serve gajar ka halwa?

Gajar ka halwa is served at the end of the meal as a dessert. Some prefer to have it as warm, and some prefer chilled. You can also served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

You can also stuff patishapta (Bengali style crepe) with this decadent halwa.

Gajar ka halwa topped with nuts served in a dessert bowl top view
Print
5 from 13 votes

Gajar Ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa

Gajar ka halwa, also known as carrot halwa, is a traditional Indian sweet dish made with freshly grated carrots, ghee, milk, khoya, and sugar.
Prep Time10 mins
Active Time2 hrs
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Carrot Recipes, Indian Sweet Recipes
Yield: 10 servings
Author: Amrita

Materials

  • 500 gms Carrot
  • 750 ml Milk
  • 50 gms Khoya or Mawa (Milk Solids) grated
  • ⅔ cup Sugar Adjust as per your taste bud
  • 8-10 nos Cashew Nuts
  • 8-10 nos Raisins
  • 2-3 tablespoon Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Instructions

  • Peel the carrots and grate them. Leave the grated carrot aside for 30 minutes. 
  • Dry roast the cashew nuts in ghee and keep them aside.
  • Now heat ghee in a wok and add the grated carrots. Fry them for 5-8 minutes and put the cardamom powder. 
  • Then add the milk and cook under slow flame until the milk evaporates. Keep on stirring in between to avoid sticking to the pan.
  • Now add the sugar and grated khoya. Allow to mix them evenly with other ingredients while continuously stirring it.
  • Switch off the gas before the halwa dries up completely. Add the raisins and roasted cashew nuts. Serve it either hot or cool.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hayley Dhanecha

    March 19, 2022 at 8:59 am

    5 stars
    Gajar Halwa is a favourite in our house in the cold months. Absolutely loved your version and will be making it again and again

    Reply
  2. Seema Sriram

    March 14, 2022 at 12:13 am

    5 stars
    It is such a deliciously creamy recipe for traditional Indian sweets. I love carrot halwa in winters, heartwarming dessert. I ma so glad to see this with orange carrots as it is easily available.

    Reply
  3. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

    March 12, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    That gajar halwas turned out delicious. I loved how quickly everything came together. I liked using khoya in my gajar halwa. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  4. Neha

    March 10, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    5 stars
    Glad I stumbled on this traditional sweet recipe. It dawned on me that this winter I have not made Gajar ka Halwa. And voila today I made gajar ka halwa and ate to my heart's content. The flavors of winter carrots are just too good. Thanks fr the inspiration and prompt.

    Reply
  5. Vandana

    March 10, 2022 at 9:11 am

    5 stars
    I wanted to make gajar ka halwa one last time this year before fresh red Indian carrots disappear from the market. Came across your recipe at the right time and tried it. It tasted quite similar to the way my mom made halwa tastes. Loved it. I will make it again.

    Reply
  6. Pavani

    March 09, 2022 at 9:35 pm

    5 stars
    I was craving for some gajar ka halwa and found your recipe. It turned out absolutely amazing. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe.

    Reply
  7. Lata Lala

    March 09, 2022 at 3:13 pm

    5 stars
    Gajar ka halwa is a winter must try recipe. I always make it without khoya and after reading your recipe I this time tried with khoya and it turned out amazing.

    Reply
  8. Mayuri Patel

    March 04, 2022 at 11:41 pm

    5 stars
    Amrita, made this delicious gajar ka halwa last night but without the khoya as didn't get any. However, with just milk, it took just a bit longer to cook, but the family just loved it.

    Reply
  9. Jayashree T.Rao

    October 07, 2021 at 10:39 am

    5 stars
    Carrot halwa is one dessert we relish and I too make it twice a year. Lovely one, the traditionally made one tastes best.

    Reply
  10. Archana

    October 05, 2021 at 10:58 am

    5 stars
    Pass the glass of gajar halwa after all proof of the pudding is eating it. ? Love the yummy halwa and it is something quintessential Indian winter.

    Reply
  11. Seema

    October 05, 2021 at 9:42 am

    5 stars
    Nothing beats a spoonful of gajar ka halwa for dessert in winter.i love your idea of stuffing patishapta with it.

    Reply
  12. Priya Vj

    October 05, 2021 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    Hi fi to what you said abt restaurant gajar halwa. I also like to prepare gajar halwa the traditional way by slow cooking in milk and then adding khoya and the dry fruits . I am craving badly for a warm bowl of gajar halwa after seeing your post

    Reply
  13. Mayuri Patel

    October 04, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious looking inviting gajar ka halwa. Love how easy it is to make it and mostly everyone loves it hot or topped with ice cream.

    Reply
  14. Anu

    September 17, 2021 at 6:13 am

    Delicious!!

    Reply

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Hello and Welcome to Motions and Emotions - Food Diary - one stop blog for everyday recipes. I am Amrita, a medical writer by profession and food blogger by passion.

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