Gajar Halwa, also known as Carrot Halwa, is a classic north-Indian dessert that holds a special place in the hearts of many. This recipe is especially close to my heart since it’s been in my family for three generations.
Today, I’m sharing my mom’s gajar halwa recipe along with her tips that prevent the carrots from turning mushy, and caramelize the milk solids to perfection, achieving an authentic texture and taste. Let’s get started!
What is Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)
Gajar Halwa is an Indian sweet made by simmering grated carrots with ghee, milk, and sugar until it reaches a rich, fudgy consistency. Flavored with cardamom, carrot halwa is garnished with fried nuts like almonds, pistachios, and cashews, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. Another popular carrot dessert: Carrot Burfi (Gajar ki Burfi)
Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
All it takes is six easily available ingredients to make gajar ka halwa. Here’s what you need:
Carrots: Pick medium-sized carrots that have bright and firm skin. When in season (winter), look for red carrots which are the traditional choice for this halwa. Milk: I highly recommend using whole (full-fat) milk. 2% or lower-fat milk doesn’t have the richness that is needed for this recipe. Ghee: A key player in this recipe, ghee adds a rich and nutty flavor. I prefer to use homemade ghee but any reputed store brand will work. Sugar: Granulated sugar works best here. Adjust the quantity to taste keeping in mind that the sweetness intensifies as the halwa cooks. Nuts: Nuts are optional and can be customized to your liking. The traditional choices include cashews, almonds, and pistachios. Some recipes also call for golden raisins. Cardamom Powder: Ground cardamom infuses the halwa with a fragrant aroma. Use green cardamom for this recipe.
Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Gajar Halwa
Here are the step-by-step photos and instructions on how to make carrot halwa:
Prepare carrots:
Wash, dry, and peel the carrots. Shred them using a food processor. Alternatively, grate them using a box grater.
Saute nuts and carrots:
Heat a 12-inch wok or any wide non-stick pan on medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of ghee and melt it. Add the chopped nuts to the pan. Stir fry for a minute or until they turn a light golden color. Remove promptly and keep them aside for later. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Add grated carrots and stir-fry for about 5 minutes or until the color changes to a vibrant orange. This cooks off the excess moisture and prevents the carrots from turning mushy.
Cook with milk:
Add milk and stir well. As soon as the milk comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium. Cook it for about 30-35 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until most of the milk has been absorbed. Keep scraping and stirring the milk solids forming on the sides of the pan. This also prevents the milk from sticking and burning.
Add sugar:
Now add sugar. Reserve a tablespoon or so of the fried nuts for garnish and add the remaining to the pan. Cook the halwa for another 5 to 10 minutes or until all the moisture is cooked off and the halwa looks dry.
Saute halwa:
Now add the remaining tablespoon of ghee along with cardamom powder and saute the halwa for another 5 minutes. This is the extra step that is key to achieving the true Punjabi-style gajar ka halwa flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Gajar halwa warm for the best taste and texture. If you want to take this dessert to another level, especially when serving it for Indian dinner parties, serve warm carrot halwa with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast.
How to Store & Freeze
To store Gajar Halwa, cool it to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer-term storage, freezing Gajar Halwa is a great option. Cool completely then transfer it to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. To prevent ice crystals from forming, cover the surface with plastic wrap before sealing the container. You can store Gajar Halwa in the freezer for up to three months. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk if needed to restore its creamy consistency.
Recipe Tips & Notes
Use a wide non-stick skillet: A wide skillet helps reduce the liquids faster and results in even sauteing of carrots. Carrots: Pick medium-sized carrots that have firm skin and no brown spots. When in season (winter) look for red carrots which are the traditional choice for this halwa. Milk: I highly recommend using whole (full-fat) milk for this recipe to achieve the iconic rich taste and texture. Ghee: Use homemade or any good quality ghee for best results. Nuts: Nuts are optional and can be customized to your liking. Some recipes also call for golden raisins. Don’t skip the stirfrying: The initial step of stir-frying the grated carrots is critical to the end texture. Don’t skip this step. Sauteing in the end: The last step of sauteing the halwa with extra ghee adds a delightful caramelized flavor to this halwa, giving it the iconic Punjabi-style Gajar Halwa taste. This step is optional, but highly recommended.
Variation
Instant Pot Carrot Halwa: This is a quicker version that takes 35 minutes by using shortcut ingredients like milk powder in addition to the regular ingredients. Here’s a detailed recipe: Instant Pot Gajar Halwa Recipe. Dairy-Free Carrot Halwa: Use avocado oil instead of ghee, and substitute whole milk with almond milk. The halwa won’t be as rich and creamy as the traditional one, but it’ll still taste great.
More Classic Indian Desserts
These recipes are part of the Indian Desserts Series:
📖 Recipe
