Carrot Halwa

A rich and fragrant spiced carrot dessert, popular throughout India. 

Carrot Halwa

Carrot halwa (Gajjar ka halwa), is a wonderful lightly spiced North Indian dessert, made with carrots, cardamom, milk and sugar.

It is probably the most popular of all halwas. In winter it is served warm, or on warmer days with a scoop of ice cream.

It is slow cooked over a low flame and takes roughly 40 minutes to make.

The flavours come together beautifully creating an aromatic, rich and creamy dessert with a slightly chewy texture.

Carrot Halwa texture

Helpful tips

For best results, use full cream (whole) milk, rather than semi-skimmed.

Heat the milk with crushed cardamoms, then strain the seeds away and set the milk aside. The aroma is wonderful – similar to that of kheer (Indian rice-pudding).

To make the halwa, use a large heavy iron skillet as it holds the heat well on a low flame.

The carrots are cooked in butter till softened, not browned. As they cook, they begin to caramelize, with a richer more intense flavour.

Adjust the amount of sugar according to the sweetness of the carrots and to taste.

Add half the cardamom flavoured milk, sugar, cinnamon, clove, saffron water and salt and simmer till reduced. The salt helps accentuate the flavours.

Next, add the rest of the milk and reduce again till you have a rice pudding consistency (not too dry).

Stir in the créme fraîche and reduce again, till no longer runny.

Grated carrots in saucepan on stove

To make it vegan

Use ghee, and substitute milk with 3 cups of almond milk.

Serve

Reheat before serving or bring to room temperature and serve with a scoop of ice cream.

Storing

It will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

Carrot Halwa texture

More Indian desserts to try

• Mung Dal Halwa
• Kheer
• Chocolate & Cardamom Pudding

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Carrot Halwa

Nicole Shroff

Carrot halwa, or Gajjar ka halwa, is a wonderful North Indian dessert made with carrots, cardamom, milk and sugar.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 people

Calories 276 kcal

Ingredients

 

• a pinch saffron strands
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons ghee or butter
• 3 cups carrots grated
• 3 cups milk whole
• 2 cardamoms crushed
• 1/4 sugar
• a pinch cinnamon powder
• 1 clove crushed
• a pinch salt
• 1/2 cup créme fraîche or cream

Instructions

 

• Crush and soak the saffron in 2 tablespoons of water for 20 minutes.
• In a small saucepan, heat the milk and cardamom pods. Once it comes to a boil, turn off the heat, remove the crushed cardamom pods and set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt the ghee/butter and add the carrots. Stir and cook over a low heat till softened (approx. 7 minutes).
• Pour in half the milk, then add sugar, the saffron and its water, cinnamon, crushed clove and salt, stirring occasionally till reduced.
• Add the remaining milk and gently simmer till there is no liquid left.
• Stir in the créme fraîche and reduce till the halwa is no longer runny. Serve warm or cold.

Notes

For best results, use full cream (whole) milk, rather than semi-skimmed.

Use a large heavy iron skillet as it holds the heat well on a low flame.

The carrots are cooked in butter till softened, not browned.

As they cook, they become sweeter as they caramelize, so adjust the amount of sugar accordingly to taste.

Add half the cardamom flavoured milk, sugar and the salt (this helps to accentuate the flavours) and simmer till reduced.

The consistency should be similar to that of rice pudding consistency (not too dry).

Equipment

Skillet

Ghee

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Carrot Halwa

Amount Per Serving

Calories 276 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 11g55%

Cholesterol 52mg17%

Sodium 169mg7%

Potassium 600mg17%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 15g17%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 16513IU330%

Vitamin C 6mg7%

Calcium 274mg27%

Iron 1mg6%

* Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword carrot dessert, carrot halwa, easy Indian dessert

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