Gajar Halwa | Carrot Pudding

The classic Indian dessert, Gajar Ka Halwa!!! My blog has been missing it and its high time I post it. Gajar ka halwa or carrot pudding is a perfect winter delight, on a cold winter day enjoy this warm halwa. It is prepared by cooking grated carrots in whole milk, the sweetness of the carrots enhances as it slowly cooks in the milk . The final touching is the dry fruits topping. You can also add khoya or mawa (reduced whole dry milk) towards the end, though I skipped it.

Also try: Sooji Halwa, Besan Halwa, Mango Halwa or Rice Kheer.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: North Indian

Time: Preparation – 20 mins, Cooking – 1 hour 10 mins, Total – 1.5 hours.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1. Carrots – 1 kg (washed, peeled and grated)
2. Whole Milk – 1.5 litre
3. Sugar – 3/4 cup 
4. Ghee (Clarified Butter) – 4 tbsp
5. Almonds – 8 (crushed or chopped)
6. Cashews – 8 (crushed or chopped)
7. Pistachios – 12 (crushed or chopped)
8. Cardamom – 6 (crushed or powdered, skin removed).

PS: 1 Cup = 250 ML.

How to make Gajar ka Halwa:

1. Take a heavy bottom pan or kadai. Add milk and bring it to boil, simmer for 10 mins
2. Add grated carrots and mix. Cook on a low flame until milk is completely absorbed, takes about an hour. Keep stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning up
3. Add sugar and mix,  sugar will release some moisture. Cook until moisture is completely absorbed
4. Add ghee, almonds, cashews, pistachios and cardamom. Mix and cook for another 4-5 mins. Keep stirring
5. Your Gajar Ka Halwa is ready. Serve warm and enjoy!!!