Life is good with a bowl of warm Gajar ka Halwa aka Indian Carrot Pudding with slivered almonds any day! A dessert that's loved and adored by young and old in India. Sharing my easy version of Gajar ka Halwa recipe using my Ammi’s(mother) instructions. Includes low calorie InstantPot recipe.
What is Gajar Halwa?
Gajar Halwa is one of those desserts that everyone raves about in India. Truly loved and adored by many, star of weddings, family get togethers and parties. Halwa is basically, carrots cooked down in milk until incredibly tender, seasoned with freshly ground cardamom, sugar and ghee; garnished with blanched nuts and served warm. Eat it warm or cold, It will surely give you fuzzy feelings.
What's in this Carrot Pudding:
Just a handful of pantry ingredients and you are all set to prepare some amazing Indian dessert.
- Carrots: small young and sweet carrots make great for gajar ka halwa. Pick the brightest and firm carrots without stringy roots popping at the tips.
- Milk: I have used 2% fat milk for gajar halwa recipe. You may use whatever fat content you prefer for your milk. Almond or Coconut milk are great substitutes for vegan and lactose intolerance.
- Ghee: traditional Indian desserts are made with clarified butter. Ghee is a staple fat for baking and cooking in India. It truly enhances the aroma of gajar ka halwa.
- Cardamom: South Asians add cardamom pods and freshly ground cardamom in sweet and savory dishes. The sweet aroma of freshly ground cardamom is addictive.
- Milk powder: I am using dried milk powder. Ricotta cheese or Condensed milk are great substitutes for milk powder.
- Blanched nuts: Blanched almonds are my personal favorite in Gajar ka Halwa. You may add your favorite blanched or unsalted-roasted nuts and raisins for texture and crunch.
- Saffron: Saffron is completely optional. However, if you have a few threads of saffron in your pantry then don't hesitate to add them in to the boiling milk and carrots. Saffron truly enhances the color and aroma of Gajar ka Halwa.
How to Cook Gajar Halwa?
- Wash and peel the Carrots. Remove tip and top. Shred the carrots in a Food Processor or a shredder.
- In a thick bottom pan, simmer milk, ghee, saffron, and shredded carrots on medium heat.
- Continue stirring in between while the milk is simmering. Continue to cook until liquid is ¾ its original measure. It should take approximately 25-30 minutes.
- Add sugar, ground cardamom, slivered almonds, and milk powder.
- Stir well and continue to cook on low while stirring in between until the liquid completely evaporates.
- Take the pan off of the stove. Garnish it with more slivered almonds.
Storing the Halwa
Gajar ka Halwa stays great in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and up to 2 months in the freezer.
- To Refrigerate: Store the Halwa in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in a sauce pan on low heat. Add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon milk for reheating if needed.
- To Freeze: Use heavy duty Ziploc bags or a freezer friendly container to freeze the halwa. Defrost it over night in the refrigerator before reheating.
Cardamom Recipes
If you like the taste of Cardamom, try my sweet and savory recipes using cardamom.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need:
Gajar Halwa Recipe | Indian Carrot & Cardamom Pudding
Ingredients
- 4 cups Organic shredded carrots about 18-20 small Carrots
- 4 cups 2% milk
- ½ cup Milk Powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground Cardamom
- ¼ cup Ghee
- 8 tablespoons organic Cane Sugar
- ½ cup blanched slivered Almonds or your preferred nuts or raisins
- ¼ teaspoon Saffron
Instructions
- Wash and peel the Carrots. Remove tip and top. Shred the carrots in a Food Processor or a shredder.
- Grind about 6 green Cardamom pods in a mortar and pestle. Set it aside.
- In a thick bottom pan, simmer milk, ghee, saffron, and shredded carrots on medium heat.
- Continue stirring in between while the milk is simmering. Continue to cook until liquid is ¾ its original measure. It should take approximately 25-30 minutes.
- Add sugar, ground cardamom, slivered almonds, and milk powder.
- Stir well and continue to cook on low while stirring in between until the liquid completely evaporates.
- Take the pan off of the stove. Garnish it with more slivered almonds.
- Enjoy, you chef you!
Notes
InstantPot Gajar Halwa
You can make a healthier version of Gajar Halwa and also cut the cooking time in half in an InstantPot. Cut down the quantity of ghee, use sweetener of your choice and milk powder for a low calorie Gajar ka Halwa.- Combine 2 cups of milk and grated carrots in an InstantPot. Pressure cook on low heat setting for 6-8 minutes. Release the pressure. Reduce down any extra liquid on sauté setting.
- Add ghee, ground cardamom, sugar, milk powder and saffron. Continue to cook on sauté setting until carrots are nicely coated in ghee and sugar. Crumple down any milk solids with the help of a silicon spatula.
- Garnish with blanched nuts. Serve it warm or cold.
Nutrition
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Hi there! I'm Safiya. I'm an author, food photographer, recipe developer and the creator behind Feast with Safiya. So glad you stopped by! I share Modern & Authentic Indian recipes that I usually cook for my family. I am a firm believer in cooking meals with lots of vegetables, little meat, and generous spices. My recipes are easy, tested and perfected.
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