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Carrot halwa recipe (Gajar ka halwa)

By swasthi , on December 14, 2020, 127 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Carrot halwa recipe – Gajar ka halwa is a slow cooked traditional Indian pudding made by simmering carrots with milk. This immensely popular and super delicious classic Indian sweet is pretty much served at every feast in India. Be it a wedding, party or any other celebration this is always seen on the menu & never fails to impress people. Carrot halwa is also known as gajar ka halwa or gajrela. Gajar is the Hindi word for carrots and halwa is a pudding like dish.

carrot halwa

Most Indian households make this gajar halwa during the winters as carrots are in full season. In North India it is made with Delhi gajar (red carrots).

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In many other parts of India, Delhi gajar is not available so it is made with regular carrots.

Here in Singapore we do get the fresh Delhi gajar in few Indian stores during the season. Whenever I find them I never fail to buy as they are much more flavorful than the regular ones.

Gulab jamun, Jalebi, Rasgulla & Kaju katli are some of the popular Sweets from Indian cuisine.

Table of contents

  • What is carrot halwa?
  • How to make carrot halwa with milk
  • Method 2 – Gajar ka halwa with condensed milk
  • Method 3 – Gajar halwa with khoya
  • Instant pot carrot halwa
  • Pro Tips
  • Recipe card

If you are new to Indian cuisine, then read on to know more

What is carrot halwa?

Carrot halwa is a Indian pudding made with fresh carrots, milk, sugar, ghee & nuts. It is made by simmering grated carrots in full fat milk & then sweetened with sugar.

It is flavored with cardamom powder & garnished with chopped nuts.

Traditionally carrot halwa was made only with full fat milk and no processed ingredients like condensed milk, evaporated milk or khoya was used.

3 different ways to make

There are 3 different ways of making carrot halwa. I have shared all the method in this post.

  1. Traditional method using whole milk. I have shared this method in the video, step by step photos & the recipe card.
  2. Carrot halwa using condensed milk – I have included this method after the recipe card. This takes just 15 mins so it is great to make when you are in a hurry.
  3. A rich version using khoya. I follow this method during festive season when I have some surplus khoya left & prefer to use up. This method reduces the cook time by 50% since the amount of milk used is less.

More Halwa recipes
Rava kesari
Moong dal halwa
Badam halwa
Lauki ka halwa

Watch video to make carrot halwa

Preparation to make carrot halwa

1. Wash 500 grams (half kg) carrots thoroughly under running water. Peel and fine grate them. A food processor quickens the process of grating. So if you own one, you can use it.

Make sure you use a heavy bottom large pot or pan for this recipe as it helps to prevent the halwa from sticking to the bottom and burning. However a pressure cooker too works well.

If you do not have cardamom powder, crush 4 green cardamoms in a mortar pestle or a spice jar.

2.On a low heat, roast 10 pistachios, 5 to 6 almonds and 5 cashew nuts until crunchy. Remove them to a chopping board, cool and chop them. OR Alternately chop the nuts first and fry them in one tablespoon ghee until golden and crunchy. Set aside. If you prefer to use raisins, you may fry them in ghee until plump. Set aside.

dry roasting nuts for carrot halwa

3. Next to the same pan, pour 2 cups milk and begin to heat it.

boiling milk in a pan

How to make carrot halwa

4. Add grated carrots. (Optional – If using regular carrots and not (delhi gajar) red carrots then you can saute the carrots in ghee until a nice aroma comes out then pour milk. )(check video for details)

addition of grated gajar for carrot halwa

5. Stir and cook on a medium flame. Keep stirring to prevent burning at the bottom. Since I used a heavy bottom pan, I didn’t have to stir very often. But I suggest consistently keep checking otherwise the halwa will stick at the bottom.

simmer carrot in milk for gajar halwa

6. You will have be cautious always towards the end. Especially when the milk has almost evaporated.

stir while cooking completely
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7. Cook until the milk completely evaporates.

cook till milk evaporates for carrot halwa recipe

8. Next add half cup + 2 tablespoons sugar and stir.

addition of sugar for carrot halwa

9. Sugar melts and carrot halwa turns gooey once again. Stir and cook. When the moisture is half evaporated, add 1 tablespoon ghee and stir well.

gooey gajar ka halwa mixture
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10. Stir and cook until the halwa thickens. Just before you finish off, add half teaspoon cardamom powder.

addition of cardamom for gajar ka halwa

Finally garnish carrot halwa with nuts & raisins. Serve chilled or warm.

carrot halwa

Method 2 – Gajar ka halwa with condensed milk

This method comes handy when you want to make this dessert for an occasion as it is quick to make. Using condensed milk cuts down half the cooking time and the resulting halwa is much richer, flavorful and delicious.
To make this, you can use Delhi gajar or the regular carrots. When I made this I used the regular carrots as Delhi gajar is seasonal and is not available in Singapore throughout the year.

Ingredients
500 grams carrots (tender, young)
½ tin condensed milk (½ cup + 2 tablespoons)
¼ teaspoon cardamom powder or 1 teaspoon rose water
1½ tablespoon ghee (divided – ½ tablespoon + 1)
¼ cup chopped nuts (cashews, pistas,almonds)
2 tablespoons raisins

Instructions:

1.Wash and peel young 500 grams carrots well. Grate them either using a food processor or hand grater. Use the fine grater if you have a food processer.

2. Add ½ tablespoon ghee and heat the pan. This prevents the halwa from sticking to the pan & burning. If you want to you can add the ¼ cup chopped nuts. Fry them until lightly golden. Then add 2 tablespoons raisins. When they become plump, remove to a plate.

heat ghee in a pan

3. Add grated carrots & saute for 2 to 3 mins.

add grated gajar to make halwa

4. Pour ½ tin condensed milk (½ cup + 2 tablespoons).

add condensed milk
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5. Mix well and continue to cook on a medium heat. You will see the carrots begin to release moisture.

cook till carrots release moisture

6. Cover and cook until gajar turns soft and tender.

cook gajar ka halwa covered

7. Add cardamom powder.

add cardamom powder to the simmering gajar
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8. Adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of ghee enhances the aroma and taste. You can also add more if you like.

add ghee to the halwa

9. Mix and saute until a nice aroma comes out.

saute gajar ka halwa in ghee

10. When the milk evaporates turn off. Garnish with chopped cashews, pistachios and almonds.

garnish with nuts

Serve Gajar ka halwa warm or chilled.

gajar ka halwa in a blue bowl garnished with chopped nuts

Method 3 – Gajar halwa with khoya

This method also takes much less time than the traditional version since the amount of milk used is lesser.

½ kg carrots
½ cup khoya (unsweetened)
1 cup milk
½ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon cardamom powder

Ensure gajar is grated with a medium fine grater. In the method, carrot is not cooked for long time so if the gratings are larger they won’t soft cook quickly.

If you want you can fry the nuts & raisins in 1 tbsps ghee. Then add carrots and milk. Cook on a low heat stirring well until carrot turns tender. If the milk evaporates and the carrot are not soft then cover and cook on a lowest heat for few minutes.

Then add khoya and sugar. Mix and continue to cook. The entire mixture turns gooey. Let it cook until gajar ka halwa thickens.

Add 1 tablespoon ghee and saute for 2 mins. Turn off and garnish with nuts and raisins.

Instant pot carrot halwa

I have been using instant pot for quite some time for all my cooking. Making carrot halwa in an instant pot is a breeze as you don’t need to stir the pudding like we do for the traditional method.

Instant pot needs lesser liquids to cook the foods so I use only a cup of milk for 500 grams of carrot. I have included the instructions below for IP.

Pro Tips

  1. Choice of carrots: Always use fresh, tender and young carrots that are less fibrous. If needed taste them before cooking. Carrots that are too old or mature are more fibrous & have a different flavour & texture which do not go well for the halwa.
    Young carrots are sweeter in flavour & yield a mouth melting carrot halwa. If you cannot find delhi gajar you can use the regular carrots.
  2. Milk: Use full fat or whole milk to get a tasty carrot halwa. For a low fat version just reduce the amount of milk in the recipe or use low fat milk. You can also skip or reduce the amount of ghee.
    If you are a vegan you can make this halwa with coconut or almond milk.
  3. Grating carrots: Grate the carrots with a hand held grater or food processor. I always use a food processor. You can grate to thick or thin shreds depending on how you like your carrot halwa to be. My kids like them to be very fine as the halwa just melts off in the mouth. But for this post I have used larger gratings.
  4. Sautéing carrots: My mom makes the this by first sautéing the grated carrot in ghee for 5 mins. Then pouring the milk. However I do not do this just to save time. Adding ghee at a later time, once the halwa is cooked gives a more intense flavour. So you can do either ways.
  5. Cooking: Be cautious & do not leave the carrot halwa on the stove unattended as the milk will get scorched and burnt. You will need to constantly stir the gajar halwa.

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Recipe card

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carrot halwa

Carrot halwa recipe | Gajar ka halwa | How to make carrot halwa

Gajar halwa is a classic sweet dish from Indian cuisine made with carrots, sugar, cardamom powder and milk. This recipe post shares 3 methods of making carrot halwa. Instructions for Instant pot included.
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Servings4 people
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

Ingredients

  • ½ kg carrot (gajar)(500 grams) (prefer young carrots)
  • 2 cups milk (1 cup for Instant pot)
  • ½ cup sugar (+ 2 tbsp optional) (prefer organic)
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom powder (or 4 pods skinned & powdered)
  • 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

optional ingredients

  • 20 mixed nuts 10 pista, 5 cashew & 5 almonds
  • 2 tablespoons raisins optional
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Instructions

Preparation

  • Wash carrots under running water & peel them. 
  • Grate them in a food processor or with a hand grater. 
  • Dry roast nuts on a low heat until crunchy, cool & chop them.  OR Alternately chop the nuts first & fry them in 1 tbsp ghee until slightly golden. Then add raisins & fry until they plump up. Remove to a plate.

How to make carrot halwa

  • Next bring milk to a boil in a heavy bottom pot or deep pan. 
  • Add grated carrots and cook on a medium heat stirring often.
  • Do not leave the pot unattended as the milk will get scorched. 
  • When the milk has completely evaporated add sugar and stir well. 
  • Sugar will release lot of moisture & will make the entire carrot halwa gooey.
  • Cook until half the moisture evaporates, then stir in the ghee.
  • Saute the carrot halwa well in ghee until the moisture evaporates completely. 
  • When it is done gajar halwa turns aromatic & thickens. It will still be moist. Sprinkle cardamom powder.
  • Garnish carrot halwa with nuts. Serve warm or chilled with Ice cream.

Instant pot gajar halwa

  • Press the saute button and add 1 tbsp ghee to the steel insert of the IP.
  • When it is hot fry the nuts until light golden.
  • Then add in raisins if using. When they plump up remove to a plate.
  • Then add in the carrots & saute for 2 to 3 mins stirring well.
  • Pour 1 cup milk and mix well. Deglaze by scrubbing the bottom of the pot with a spatula.
  • Secure the instant pot & position the steam release handle to sealing.
  • Press the pressure cook (manual) button & set the timing to 3 mins.
  • When the instant pot beeps and finishes, do a manual pressure release carefully.
  • Stir in the sugar, ghee & cardamom powder.
  • Press the saute button & saute until the milk evaporates completely.
  • Garnish gajar halwa with chopped nuts & raisins.
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Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

Video

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Carrot halwa recipe | Gajar ka halwa | How to make carrot halwa
Amount Per Serving
Calories 319 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 31mg10%
Sodium 141mg6%
Potassium 594mg17%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 37g41%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 21085IU422%
Vitamin C 7.3mg9%
Calcium 186mg19%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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Carrot halwa recipe first published in June 2013, Republished in Dec 2020.

Carrot halwa recipe (Gajar ka halwa)
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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Reader Interactions

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Comments

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  2. Anu says

    January 22, 2021

    Hi Swasthi,

    Thank you so much for this easy and wonderful recipe!
    I also like the pan that you used in this recipe, would you be able to share the brand name and what kind of pan is it.
    Anu

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 23, 2021

      Hi Anu,
      You are welcome! It’s a pan from WMF with a heavy bottom

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth Jimenez says

    December 24, 2020

    5 stars
    I love making Indian food and made this recipe today using coconut milk and honey. Yummylicious. Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      December 25, 2020

      You are welcome!

      Reply
  4. Amanda says

    December 21, 2020

    5 stars
    This is a light and delicious carrot halwa. The only thing I did differently was to saute the carrots in ghee as shown in the video. We don’t have access to Delhi gajar so I used the usual carrots. It was a complete success, my family loved it . Thank you

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      December 21, 2020

      Welcome Amanda
      Glad to know! Thank you so much for leaving a comment.

      Reply
  5. Seema says

    December 14, 2020

    How many kilo carrots are used to make one kilo gajar halwa

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      December 14, 2020

      3/4 kg carrots, 3 cups milk & 3/4 cup sugar should yield around a kg

      Reply
  6. Monika jain says

    November 30, 2020

    Hey swasthi i followed your recipe for Gajar ka Halwa, very simple steps and perfect measurements…and too quick …thank you very much

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 30, 2020

      Glad to know Monika
      πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Clare says

    November 20, 2020

    5 stars
    Delicious! I forgot to peel half the carrots and was worried that it wouldn’t taste good but it was still very tasty. Have never tried carrot halwa before so thanks for the recipe. Will be making again!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 23, 2020

      Welcome Clare
      Glad you liked it. Thank you

      Reply
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  9. Akshata says

    November 16, 2020

    5 stars
    Very tasty recipe with simple ingredients! Thankyou Swasthi :))

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 19, 2020

      Welcome Akshata
      πŸ™‚

      Reply
  10. Varsha says

    October 21, 2020

    5 stars
    I followed the instructions for instapot recipe. Easy, quick and very tasty. Thank-You for helping us.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 23, 2020

      Welcome Varsha
      Glad to know! Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Jenn says

    September 19, 2020

    Quick question…. Does the recipe call for sweetened condensed milk?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 20, 2020

      yes it is sweetened condensed milk

      Reply
  12. M.l.gupta says

    September 19, 2020

    5 stars
    Very helpful simle and easy. Thanx.

    Reply
  13. M.l.gupta says

    September 19, 2020

    Swasthi i am 84 and when i had to prepared my food i had not much experience and no body to guide me. sometime i could prepare but erred
    Then i thought to search in my cellphone and ur page appeared. I hoped i will get some guidance. I went through ur recipes and found them simple and easy and it helped me a lot and gave me self confidence.now i am able to prepare so many items properly and i sincerely thank u for this.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 21, 2020

      Hello Gupta ji,
      You are welcome! I really appreciate your comment. So happy to know the recipe helped. Hope you are doing well.
      Stay safe & healthy.

      Reply
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  15. Dayana says

    September 11, 2020

    5 stars
    Easy and very tasty πŸ˜‹

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 12, 2020

      Thank you!

      Reply
  16. Sohela says

    September 9, 2020

    Hi dear…..
    In 1 kg of carrot halwa …how many people can eat?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 10, 2020

      Hi,
      It will serve 7 to 8

      Reply
  17. Cathy says

    July 23, 2020

    5 stars
    Beautiful recipe! Very helpful!
    I have only made gajar halwa traditionally before; this was my first attempt using milk powder. It turned out great! Step by step directions and lots of photographic details gave me more confidence along the way. Now I need to try some new recipes, since you made that one so easy. Thank you very much, Swasthi!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 24, 2020

      Welcome Cathy
      Glad to hear that!
      Thanks for leaving a comment
      πŸ™‚

      Reply
  18. MINA says

    June 2, 2020

    5 stars
    SHUKRIYA 😊for the recipe😍
    i will make it someday 。。。

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 4, 2020

      Welcome Mina
      πŸ™‚

      Reply
  19. Lynne says

    May 20, 2020

    5 stars
    Wonderful! I did not have cardamom on hand, but even without this dish was amazing. Thank you for sharing your expertise; I will definitely look at more of your recipes.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 20, 2020

      Hi Lynne,
      You are welcome! Glad to know it turned out good.
      Thank you

      Reply
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  21. Nital says

    May 14, 2020

    5 stars
    Hi ma’am… thanks for sharing such convenient recipe.. I had tried it for first time and it turned out awesome.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 16, 2020

      You are welcome Nital
      Glad to know it came out good
      Thank you

      Reply
  22. Hema Gurnani says

    May 11, 2020

    Thank you for the awesome step by step instructions given so clearly and precisely. Loved it.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 16, 2020

      Welcome Hema

      Reply
  23. Anita says

    May 7, 2020

    5 stars
    Hi Swasthi!
    Thank you so so much for posting this recipe! I have made it twice, and both times they turned out delicious.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 7, 2020

      Hi Anita
      Glad to know it turned out delicious! You are welcome!
      πŸ™‚

      Reply
  24. Rati Bhagwat says

    May 2, 2020

    Thanks a lot for the recipe! Since condensed milk was out of stock, I’m stuck with a 410 g can of evaporated milk. Would really appreciate if you could suggest how much of the (unsweetened) evaporated milk & sugar I should use for 500 g grated carrots.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 3, 2020

      Hello Rati,
      You can use half cup evaporated milk and half cup sugar. Taste the halwa towards the end and add more if needed. Hope this helps.
      πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Rati says

        May 4, 2020

        Thank you! πŸ™‚

        Reply
  25. Anjana says

    April 28, 2020

    I tried this twice. First time it came exactly as expected. Beautiful and tasty. Thank you. The second time I tried, a colour change was seen. It turned really dark. Not even closer to orange. Can you guide me what went wrong?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 29, 2020

      Hi Anjana,
      I guess it is the sugar. The same thing happened when I made with turbinado sugar. It turns out to brownish shade. Hope this helps

      Reply
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