Gajar Halwa

Indulge in the rich, aromatic flavors of Gajar Halwa, a beloved Indian dessert that combines the natural sweetness of grated carrots with the creaminess of full-cream milk and the decadence of ghee (clarified butter). Slow-cooked to perfection, this traditional treat is infused with the warm spice of freshly ground cardamom and studded with golden raisins, crunchy almonds, and cashew nuts for a delightful texture contrast. Perfect for festive occasions or as a comforting sweet treat, Gajar Halwa's vibrant color and luxurious taste make it truly irresistible. Serve it warm as a stand-alone dessert or pair it with a dollop of ice cream for an indulgent twist. Whether you’re new to Indian cuisine or a seasoned enthusiast, this classic recipe is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1000 grams Carrots
• 500 milliliters Full cream milk
• 4 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter)
• 200 grams Sugar
• 6 pods Cardamom pods
• 50 grams Cashew nuts
• 50 grams Almonds
• 25 grams Raisins

Directions

Step 1

Wash and peel the carrots thoroughly. Grate the carrots using a medium-sized grater.

Step 2

In a heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee over medium heat. Add the grated carrots and sauté for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The raw smell of the carrots should disappear.

Step 3

Pour in the full cream milk, stir well, and bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Stir the mixture frequently to prevent sticking, until the milk reduces and is absorbed by the carrots. This can take around 25-30 minutes.

Step 4

While the carrot-milk mixture is cooking, shell the cardamom pods and grind the seeds to a fine powder. Set aside.

Step 5

Slice the cashew nuts and almonds. Reserve a few for garnishing and set the rest aside.

Step 6

In another small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee on medium heat. Add the sliced cashew nuts and almonds, and roast until they become golden brown. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, lightly roast the raisins until they puff up. Set aside.

Step 7

Once the milk has been completely reduced in the carrot mixture, add the sugar and mix well. Continue to cook on low flame, stirring regularly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture thickens. This should take about 10-12 minutes.

Step 8

Add the remaining ghee (2 tablespoons) and stir continuously until the mixture starts leaving the sides of the pan and gathers as a dough-like mass, approximately another 5-7 minutes.

Step 9

Stir in the ground cardamom powder, roasted cashew nuts, almonds, and raisins, saving some for the garnish. Mix well to combine all the flavors.

Step 10

Turn off the heat and let the halwa cool slightly. Transfer it to a serving bowl, garnish with the reserved nuts and raisins, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1898.7 grams (1898.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2705

Total Fat 125.10g	160%
Saturated Fat 52.30g	262%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.00g
Cholesterol 196mg	65%
Sodium 1226mg	53%
Total Carbohydrate 367.30g	134%
Dietary Fiber 37.70g	135%
Total Sugars 292.90g
Protein 44.80g	90%

Vitamin D 262IU	1311%
Calcium 1092mg	84%
Iron 9mg	49%
Potassium 4366mg	93%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.6%

Protein: 6.5%

Carbs: 53.0%