Gajar ka halwa is one of the most popular Indian desserts. In English, gajar ka halwa is closest to carrot pudding made with grated carrots, cooked in milk with sugar, and cardamom, and sprinkled with dry fruits.
Carrot halwa is enjoyed both as a hot and a cold dessert. In our house itself, we have different preferences. I enjoy the halwa cold while Sikander loves it hot. And to top it up, he would serve the hot carrot halwa with cold vanilla ice-cream. What is your favorite way of eating carrot pudding?
This is the original gajar halwa recipe without condensed milk, milkmaid or khoya. Traditionally this carrot pudding is made in India during winters when the sweet red carrots are in season. Every household will almost have a steady supply of gajar ka halwa during winters. Every Sunday, mom used to make carrot halwa with almost 2-3 kgs of fresh carrots and it would last for 5-6 days between the 4 of us. The halwa can be easily stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. We used to have it for breakfast, after lunch & dinner, and for a snack!
Since leaving India, red carrots are a luxury but we can’t stay without our favorite dessert so have to do with the orange carrots that we get here all year round. While they are not so sweet, a little bit of extra sugar and a lot of extra love does the trick. 🙂
I have been asked if gajar ka halwa is healthy? Now that’s like asking if any dessert is healthy. Of course, this recipe is without the processed products like condensed milk or shop bought khoya which comes with its own additives. But well it does have sugar and I don’t think I can classify sugar as particularly healthy. Though for gajar ka halwa without sugar, you can use dates, like I did in the sugar-free sheer khurma recipe.
This is the recipe that has been passed on from generations before me. It takes time to cook it. My grandmother used to say that would keep the carrot to cook on a very low flame and meanwhile cook the entire meal. 🙂 Since it is such a favorite, I have to try a vegan gajar halwa recipe using almond milk and no ghee. Sometime soon!
If you like this recipe, please take a moment to rate it below and/or leave your thoughts at the end. It really encourages me to keep exploring, learning and improving.
Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe | Indian carrot pudding
Ingredients (1cup = 240ml; 1tbsp = 15ml; 1tsp = 5ml)
- 1 kg carrots , red if you can find or else orange
- 1.5 ltr full-fat milk
- 6-7 strands of saffron
- 2 tbsp ghee , optional
- 1 cup sugar
- 10 golden raisins
- 1 tbsp green cardamom powder
for garnish
- 5-6 green pistachios , slivered
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom pot, put milk to heat on medium high. When the milk comes to a boil, reduce the flame to low and let it simmer.*
- Take out 2 tbsp of milk in a small bowl and add in the saffron strands.
- While the milk is boiling, wash, peel, and grate the carrots.
- In a big kadhai/ wok, heat ghee. Add the grated carrots. Stir and cook covered for about 10 mins.
- To the carrots, now add the boiled milk. Mix well and let it cook, with occasional stirring, for about 30 mins till the carrots are cooked and the milk is reduced to ⅓rd.
- Now add the sugar, saffron milk, raisins and half the cardamom powder. Mix well and continue to simmer on low heat for another 5-10 mins till the carrot halwa becomes thick and all the milk has evaporated.
- Mix in the remaining cardamom powder, garnish with green pistachios and serve hot. Or let it cool and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving it cold.
Notes
- *A simple trick to heat milk without it spilling over is to put a wooden spoon in the pot.
- Ghee is optional, it is not necessary to cook the carrots but it adds to the traditional taste.
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Would love to start a conversation, share recipes, cooking experiences and food stories from India and around the world.
Gajar halwa is my all time favorite dessert. I can eat this at any time of the day. Yours look so delicious.
Thanks so much, Lata!
In our home, often when Gajar ka Halwa is made, it is left on the dining table with spoons and cups to eat at any time of the day! Just that it doesn’t last for much long :p
Gajar ka halwa is always welcome..be it summer or winter, hot or cold. Your halwa has got a beautiful orange hue and looks tempting
Thank you, Ritu!
I agree, Gajar ka halwa can be enjoyed all year round but I definitely love them the most in winters when the carrots are at their peak sweetness 🙂
One of the classics when it comes to Indiana desserts. Beautiful pictures makes it even more drool some
Thank you so much, Avin! Definitely a classic.
Wow gajar ka halwa looks super tempting. A drool worthy share. Same here. Different preferences to eat gajar halwa. I like it cold but my daughter likes it hot with a dollop of ghee.
🙂 Thanks, Sujata! Loved to read that you have different preferences in your home too!
One of my all time favorite desserts. Make it very often during winters. Your is looking absolutely drool worthy …
Thanks, Anshu!
Carrot Halwa are the dessert which no one can avoid….it’s such a scrumptious dish…yours looks absolutely delicious
Thanks, Lathiya! I am so glad you liked it 🙂
Drooling here. A delicious old classic that is still something anyone will enjoy.
Thanks, Archana!
Nothing can beat this traditional carrot pudding, i can have this halwa anytime of the day without any fuss. My all time favourite.
Thanks, Priya! Surely an all time favorite!
yummy Gajar Halwa looking absolutely inviting Ashima, beautiful color, perfect consistency. gajar halwa is my love in winters. I make it on a continuous basis. As soon as it finishes I make another batch.
It is almost the same story in our home! During winters there is a bowl of Gajar ka Halwa always ready on the dining table :-). It is beautiful how we all have similar food stories. Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving your feedback. It really encourages me!
Gajjar ka halwa is definitely a feel good dessert- gooey, comforting, loaded with that cosy autumn feeling! I like your suggestion of making it with dates for a healthier version. And I’m in love with your presentation and serving bowls.
Thanks, Maria!
I am still learning food presentations and photography. There is so much to explore in food blogging than just creating and sharing recipes 🙂 I am loving this journey. I am glad you liked the recipe. Dates really do make it healthier than the regular recipe with sugar.
I’m literally drooling at the pics! It looks super tempting!! An all-time favorite Indian dessert 🙂
Thanks, Freda! 🙂
Looks so scrumptious. We love carrot halwa with Vanilla Ice cream. I know this may sound strange to you. But give this combo a try once. You’ll love it. 🙂
Thanks, Dhwani!
We love it too with vanilla ice-cream. Warm halwa and cold ice-cream… it is one of the most delicious combos 🙂
Classic Gajar ka halwa looks absolutely irresistible to me, I love its simplicity and flavours. One of my favourite dessert.
Thanks, Jagruti! I love experimenting with the traditional recipes a little to see if I can make them healthier or create a fusion dish but some recipes are timeless!
Beautiful clicks!! Drooling! An all-time classic, yet we can never get enough of it! Awesome share!
Thanks, Vanitha!
I am so glad you liked it. It did take me a couple of different presentation arrangements to finally find the right one :-). Your feedback really encourages me to keep trying!
Gajar ka halwa is always welcome at my place through out the year. Yours beautiful color halwa is tempting me too much 😉
Thanks, Sasmita!
Well, soon the season for Gajar ka Halwa will be back! 🙂 While we make it any time of the year with the orange carrots, I love it best when the halwa is made with the sweet red winter carrots. I can’t wait for the red carrots to show up in the market.
A recipe like this always inspires and I truly appreciate the way you made this delicious gajar halwa.
Thanks, Mobasir
Glad you liked it.