About Gajar ka Halwa/ carrot halwa with condensed milk?
Gajar ka halwa or carrot halwa with condensed milk is a must-have for the winter season.
Gajar ka Halwa s basically carrots cooked in milk to make a rich, moist, and decadent dessert. Winters produce the best carrots and this dessert is like a warm hug to anyone enjoying it. Khoya is milk that has been thickened after cooking for a prolonged period of time.
I am sharing with you a very easy version of this classic that uses condensed milk instead of milk. This one is a quicker version and tastes just as much delicious.
How did gajar ka halwa make it’s way to Indian kitchens..
The origin of Halwa can be traced back to 3000 BC! A few historians have found traces of a greasy and gummy confection in the early 12th-century literature of Istanbul. The word Halwa itself can be traced back to Arabic which means sweet dish or sweetmeat. It’s called Halawa in Egypt, Halvas in Greece, Halvah in Hebrew, Hilva in Arabic, Helva in Turkey and Halava in Sanskrit.
Halwa as a dish is basically defined as a sugary, greasy mash that can be made with a lot of vegetables, fruits and even Daal. The base ingredient is mixed with milk, sugar and Mava. Which is then cooked at low heat until it turns into a mash.
The varieties of Halvas made in India include Gajar Ka Halva, Moong daal Halva, Dudhi Halva, Aate Ka Halva(wheat flour), and Mumbai has a special variety to offer like Mahim Halva and Ice Halva.
[Source: https://www.bingedaily.in/article/an-ultimate-guide-to-the-best-dosa-in-delhi ]
My version of this traditional gajar ka halwa!
I have learnt how to make gajar ka halwa using traditional methods and honestly it is very time taking to reduce the milk down to a thick consistency. Recently, I made a shahi tukda and I used condensed milk over there as rabri substitute. That’s when I came across the idea to do the same for gajar ka halwa.
How to make gajar ka halwa is not what my post is all about, it’s all about how to make gajar ka halwa so that I don’t need to be in the kitchen for hours. I understand and this recipe is perfect if you want to make it fast yet no less delicious than the actual recipe.
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What equipment do I need to make gajar ka halwa?
What ingredients do I need to make gajar ka halwa?
Winter season is the best time to make gajar ka halwa because of the abundance of good quality and fresh carrots in the market. I have also used condensed milk which you can easily purchase anywhere or online.
Khoya or Mawa is dried up whole milk which can be easily purchased from any sweet shop nearby. Cardamom is used to flavor the halwa. I have also used cashew to provide richness and nuts to the halwa.
The halwa is made using ghee and sugar. I personally love the aroma of ghee and the flavor it imparts to a dish. Do not skip on this. It is an unpopular opinion but good cow ghee brings just another level to your halwa. I love using Gir cow ghee, although it is a bit expensive, it definitely is an amazing choice of ghee. You can check it out over here or you can even check out the one I prefer using here.
How to make gajar ka halwa?
- Wash, peel and grate the carrots. Soak the cashew in water. Crush the cardamom seeds and keep aside. Roughly chop the cashew and keep aside. Grate the khoya and keep aside.
- Heat the ghee in a heavy bottomed pan or kadhai. Add the cardamom and cashew to it.
- Stir till the cashews are golden in color.
- Add the grated carrots and sugar. Stir for some time, cover and let it cook for 6-7 minutes.
- Check if the carrots are cooked. Add the khoya and condensed milk to it. Mix them well.
- Serve with some grated khoya or some chopped cashews on top.
More winter recipes:
More Indian dessert recipes to try:
- Gur kheer/ Gur payasam/ Jaggery Kheer
- Sandesh Recipe
- Rasmalai Cake
- Motichoor Cheesecake
- Coconut Ladoo
Frequently Asked Questions
How to store carrot halwa?
Gajar ka halwa can be stored by cooling it down to room temperature. Place it in an airtight container and store in refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Why did my carrot halwa turn black?
Do not fry the carrots in ghee, Follow the recipe and your halwa should tur out delicious.
Is gajar ka halwa/ carrot halwa healthy?
No, it is not healthy as it has added sugar in it. However, if you make it with forms of sugar-free powders, then you can make it healthy. Drop a comment down if you want me to make a healthy gajar ka halwa recipe.
Can I make gajar ka halwa/ carrot halwa in microwave?
I have never made gajar ka halwa in microwave but I found this recipe by Tarla Dalal which lists out step by step instructions on how to make gajar ka halwa. Click here.
Can I make gajar ka halwa/ carrot halwa in pressure cooker?
I have never made gajar ka halwa in pressure cooker but I found this recipe which lists out step by step instructions on how to make gajar ka halwa. Click here.
Pro Tips to nail this recipe:
- Khoya is made of either dried whole milk or milk thickened by heating in an open iron pan.
- You can replace the khoya in the recipe with condensed milk , if you don’t have khoya.
- Best served cold but you can serve it as per your preference.
- Buy red carrots as they impart a vibrant color to the dish.
Recipe Card
How to make gajar Halwa | Carrot Halwa with condensed milk
Gajar ka halwa or carrot halwa with condensed milk is a must-have for the winter season. Gajar ka Halwa s basically carrots cooked in milk to make a rich, moist and decadent dessert. Winters produce the best carrots and this dessert is like a warm hug to anyone enjoying it.
Ingredients
- 1. Carrots- 170 gm
- 2. Condensed milk- 75gm
- 3. Khoya- 25gm
- 4. Cardamom(elaichi)- 5 nos
- 5. Cashew- 10gm
- 6. Ghee- 2 tbsp
- 7. Sugar- 20gm
Directions
- Step 1 1. Wash, peel and grate the carrots. Soak the cashew in water. Crush the cardamom seeds and keep aside. Roughly chop the cashew and keep aside. Grate the khoya and keep aside.
- Step 2 2. Heat the ghee in a pan. Add the cardamom and cashew to it. Stir till the cashews are golden in colour.
- Step 3 3. Add the grated carrots and sugar. Stir for some time, cover and let it cook for 15 minutes or till the carrots get cooked.
- Step 4 4. Check if the carrots are cooked. Add the khoya and condensed milk to it. Mix them well.
- Step 5 5. Serve with some grated khoya or some chopped cashews on top.
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