Gajar ka halwa / Carrot halwa

Carrot Halwa or Gajar ka Halwa is most favorite dessert across the country. This Indian dessert is delicious.

A slow cooked traditional Indian halwa or pudding is made with fresh carrots, milk, sugar, ghee & nuts. 
My mom makes the best Carrot Halwa and today I am sharing her simple and easy recipe.

Ingredients
Carrot (gajar) -------- 1 kg 
Full Cream Milk ------ 4 cup
Sugar ----------------- 1 cup
Ghee ------------------ 1/4 cup 
Cashews -------------- 8 to 10 
Almonds -------------- 8 to 10
Pistachio -------------- 10 to 15 
Raisins ---------------- 9 to 10  (optional) 
Green Cardamom ----10 to 15 

Let's start 

Step 1. Wash and peel the carrots (gajar).


Step 2. Now cut into the pieces of around 1 to 2 inches.

Step 3. In a pressure cooker take 2 cups of milk, add the chopped carrot pieces to it. Close the lid and pressure cook on low flame for 10 to 15 minutes or till the carrots get soft. 

Step 4. Take a big vessel and transfer the cooked carrot and add 2 cups of milk. Now mash the carrot with masher or blender.

Step 5. Once carrot pieces are mashed completely, cook it on low flame till the milk is reduced to half.


Step 6. Add 1 cup of sugar. Mix it well. Cook the carrots on low flame until all the milk evaporates.

Step 7. Add chopped cashew and almond. Mix them well. Stir in between so that milk does not sticks to the bottom.

Step 8. Cook until all the milk evaporates and leave behind the thick Khoya.

Step 9. Add ghee and stir in between so that carrot does not get burnt or sticks to bottom.

Step 10. Make fresh green cardamom powder.

Step 11. Add cardamom powder, mix it well and Taaa daaa!!! The Gajar ka Halwa is Ready. 

Garnish it with dry fruits. Serve it warm or cold depending upon your preferences.

Note* 

• Use full cream milk instead of light milk.
• You can adjust the sweet according to your taste.
• If you are in hurry, skip adding milk at step #4 and add Khoya instead
• Here is the link on how to make Instant Khoya

Happy cooking :)