Gajar ka halwa also known as carrot halwa, gajrela, gajar pak is a sweet dish made from carrots. This carrot pudding is made by cooking grated carrots in milk, sugar, dry fruits like almonds, cashew nuts and raisins and cardamom powder. The raisins are sauteed in ghee (clarified butter) and then added to the Indian carrot dessert. Condensed milk is added to make this easy carrot halwa.

This popular Indian dessert is made specially during winter season when there is an abundance of red carrots or Delhi carrots. However, this carrot pudding can be made with any type of carrots even black carrots. It is also made during all Indian festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid and Raksha Bandhan.

I have added condensed milk in this carrot halwa recipe. Many people also make it with mava (khoya) too.

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Carrot halwa ingredients:

Carrot: Fresh seasonal carrots should be used in this Indian carrot pudding. The carrot dessert tastes best when made with Delhi carrots. But you can do it with any type of carrots.
Milk: I have added milk and condensed milk in this recipe. You can also add mava (khoya) in this recipe instead of condensed milk.
Sugar: Sugar is added for sweetness. The quantity can be altered as per taste. Some people also make carrot halwa with jaggery, but I have not tried it yet and so cannot comment on it.
Ghee: Ghee or Indian clarified butter is added in this recipe specially while sautéing raisins and grated carrot.
Dry fruits: Dry fruits like raisins, almonds and cashew nuts are added to make this dessert rich, delicious, and nutritious.
Cardamom: Cardamom pods should be peeled and crushed and added in this recipe. If cardamon pods are unavailable, then add cardamom powder.

Benefits of eating carrots:

Since carrots are rich in vitamin A and beta carotene, eating gajar halwa helps to improve eyesight and keeps eye healthy.
It also improved skin health and improves immunity.
Carrots also helps the bone health, digestive health, and heart health.
It may also help in diabetes management.

Variations to make gajar ka halwa:

Gajar halwa can be made in pressure cooker too and that too without grating carrots. Just peel carrots, chop into pieces, and then add them to pressure cooker along with milk. After pressure cooking, mash the carrots, add sugar, ghee, dry fruits, and cardamom powder, and cook till all milk is absorbed.

So, if you are wondering how to make carrot halwa or gajar ka halwa then do try out this delicious recipe? Fresh Delhi carrots are in season, and this is perfect time to make delicious and nutritious carrot halwa or gajar ka halwa ki recipe. The carrot ka halwa recipe is quite easy and gets ready in 45 minutes.

How to cook gajar ka halwa?

Here are the step-by-step carrot halwa recipe in English.

Wash, peel and grate all carrots and keep it aside.
Crush almonds and cashewnuts and keep aside.
Heat a kadai or deep saucepan.
Add ghee and after ghee is heated, add raisins, and let them puff. After raisins puff, remove them and keep aside. Remember to keep the heat to low.
Next step is to add grated carrots.
Some ghee will be remaining in then pan, if not add 1 more tablespoon ghee and sauté the grated carrots on low flame. After some time, carrot will change color and become bright red.
At this point, add milk and simmer on medium to low heat. Stir occasionally. Do monitor this constantly, else the carrots might get burnt.
After milk and carrots start to boil, add condensed milk, sugar, crushed almonds, crushed cashewnuts and cardamom powder and mix well.
Continue cooking on low flame till all milk is absorbed. Remember to stir occasionally.
After some time, the carrot halwa will easily leave sides of the pan.
Switch off the gas.
Serve hot.

Storing gajar halwa:

You can store gajrela in airtight container for 1 day outside fridge and for up to 5 days inside the fridge.

How to reheat the carrot pudding?

Just take little quantity in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 30 to 40 seconds if you need to reheat. You may even reheat it on stove top by adding a little amount in a small container and stirring it on low heat.

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Note: The recipe was published on 09th Dec 2014 and is republished.

Gajar Ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa

Carrot halwa ingredients:

How to cook gajar ka halwa?