Gajar ka Halwa, also known as Carrot Halwa is a classic Indian dessert that is simple to make yet tastes incredibly delicious!
This is a winter-special dessert made with red carrots which are in abundance during the winter season.
This Gajar Halwa is a beginner-friendly, vegetarian, gluten-free, Indian dessert recipe perfect for cosy winter evenings.
About Gajar Ka Halwa
Gajar Halwa holds a special place in Indian households which is often made during winters.
Made with fresh red carrots that are found abundantly in the winter season. These are naturally sweet and bring out the best rich flavour in this dish.
This halwa gets a rich creamy texture and flavours making it perfect for festive celebrations too!
This is a straightforward dish especially if you use khoya (mava), which is a milk solid.
Using khoya (mava), you do not need to cook this halwa for long hours to reduce milk, which is the more convenient choice. Khoya (mava) is easily available at any dairy stores all across India.
This comfort food carrot halwa is lightly spiced with cardamon powder and topped with crunchy nuts making it perfect for cozy evenings or family gatherings.
Why to use Khoya in Gajar ka Halwa?
Using khoya (mava / milk solids) instead of milk makes a big difference in both taste and texture.
Khoya also called as mava is basically a milk solid that is rich and creamy giving perfect texture to this gajar halwa.
It also cuts down cooking time since we do not have to wait for milk to reduce. This makes this Traditional Gajar Ka Halwa a quick option especially if you are a beginner or want to make it for a large group of people.
Why is Gajar Ka Halwa A winter favourite?
Winter and Gajar ka Halwa go hand in hand. Itโs not just about the comforting taste but also about the fresh red carrots that are only available during this winter season. As these red carrots are sweeter and juicer than regular ones, the halwa turns out even more flavourful.
Tips for making the Perfect Gajar ka Halwa:
Choose red, juicy, fresh carrots which are naturally sweeter. The sweeter the carrot, the less sugar you will need.
To make this halwa, finely grate the carrots to cook evenly and blend nicely with the khoya.
Make sure to use fresh, good-quality khoya as it is essential to get that rich, creamy texture to the halwa. Avoid packed khoya that are stored for longer times or are crumbly.
Do not rush the process, though we are using khoya instead of milk to cut down on the cooking time, cooking carrots in ghee is the crucial step that enhances the flavour of this gajar halwa. Slow cooking allows the carrots to absorb the flavours of the ghee and khoya.
Lastly, generously garnish the warm Gajar Ka Halwa with almonds, pistachios, cashews, raisins and kesar for that perfect finishing touch!
Garnishing gajar halwa with dry fruits, not only adds crunch but also makes the dessert look appealing.
So if you have never made this traditional carrot halwa with khoya, this winter is the best time to try out this recipe with your family and friends.
This easy carrot halwa recipe for winter is surely going to bring joy to anyone who tastes it.
So what are you waiting for? now is the perfect time, to enjoy the process of making this traditional Indian Dessert (traditional Indian sweet) in your home and share it with your loved ones!
Recipe Video
ingredients
Carrots โ We will need 500 grams of red carrots. We will grate the carrots for making this carrot halwa.
Khoya (Mava /Milk Solids) โ Khoya also called mava is basically a milk solid that is rich and creamy giving perfect texture to this gajar halwa. Apart from giving this halwa the perfect texture and flavour, using khoya incredibly cuts down on cooking time which makes it easy to make when in a hurry and perfect for beginners.
Sugar โ Traditionally sugar is used to make this gajar ka halwa. We will need approximately 1 cup of sugar or 120 grams of sugar.
Cardamon โ To spice up this delicious carrot halwa, we will add a teaspoon of crushed cardamon seeds. You may also use store-bought cardamon powder.
Nuts โ To give that perfect crunch and texture to this traditional gajar halwa, we will need to use cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios and raisins. You may add or skip the nuts as per your preference.
Ghee โ We will need 1 -2 tablespoons of ghee to cook the carrots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Gajar Ka Halwa without Khoya?
Yes, you can use milk or condensed milk instead of khoya. However, the taste, texture and richness might not be the same.
What can I serve with Gajar Halwa?
Gajar halwa tastes amazing on its own, but if you want to take it up a notch, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh cream.
Is Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa) healthy?
While itโs a dessert and naturally indulgent, Carrots are nutritious, they contains a high amount of fiber & beta-carotene. To make it a healthier choice, you can reduce the amount of sugar or replace it with jaggery or natural sweeteners.
Variations
While itโs hard to beat the traditional Gajar Ka Halwa recipe, here are some of the variations that you may want to try.
With Jaggery โ You may swap sugar with jaggery or a slightly healthier option and earthy flavours.
Vegan Gajar Ka Halwa โ To make this Carrot Halwa vegan, you may use almond milk or coconut milk instead of khoya for a dairy-free version.
Serving Suggestions
Gajar Halwa tastes amazing on its own. The best way to enjoy this halwa is to serve it warm.
With Ice Cream โ For a more sweeter indulgence, you may serve this Carrot Halwa with a scoop of vaniila ice cream or a dollop of fresh cream.
The contrast between the warm gajar ka halwa and cold ice cream makes a delicious combination.
You can also serve gajar ka halwa as a side dish with meals or can serve even with parathas.
Storage Options
Gajar ka Halwa stays good for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Store the halwa in an airtight container.
Related Recipes
No Onion No Garlic (Satvik) Recipes
More Traditional Indian Desserts Recipes
Dudhi Halwa (Lauki Ka Halwa), Chocolate Modak, Coconut Barfi, Kaddu Ki Meethi Puri (Sweet Pumpkin Puri), Purnache Dinda (Lentil Dumplings), Roti Ke Laddu (Leftover Chapati Laddu), Mango Mastani (Mango Milkshake), Panha ( Raw Mango Drink), Bread Halwa (Bread Pudding)
How to make Gajar ka Halwa recipe with Khoya
Step-by-step Gajar ka Halwa with Khoya
Note:
Avoid adding nuts if allergic to nuts.
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Recipe Card
Gajar Ka Halwa | Easy Carrot Halwa With Khoya| How to make Carrot Halwa
Ingredientsย ย
- 4 cups Grated Red Carrots
- 200 grams Khoya (mava / milk solids)
- 1 cup Sugar (adjust as per your taste)
- 1 teaspoon Cardamon Powder
- 1 tablespoon Almonds
- 1 tablespoon Pistachios
- 1 tablespoon Cashew Nuts
- 1/2 tablespoon Rasins
- 1-2 tablespoons Ghee
Instructionsย
- In a thick bottom pan heat 1 tablespoon ghee.
- Add the grated carrots and cook for 10-12 minutes or until they soften a bit. Stir occasionally.
- Once softened, add sugar and cook carrots till sugar dissolves.
- Add khoya (mava / milk solids) and mix well. Add cardamon powder. Cook till the moisture from the halwa evaporates and the mixture thickens.
- Add chopped dry fruits and raisins and give it mix.
- Cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Delicious & Creamy Gajar Ka Halwa with Khoya is ready.
- Garnish with nuts and serve warm.
