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Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)

Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)

Gajar Ka Halwa, Carrot Pudding

Gajar Ka Halwa is a classical Indian dessert, this is also known as gajrala. Gajar ka Halwa is a delicious and popular sweet made with few ingredients, carrots, milk, sugar and flavored with cardamom. Gajar ka Halwa is a perfect dessert for any celebration. 
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter or ghee
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 6 cashew roasted and broken for garnishing

Instructions
 

  • Roast the cashew nuts and set aside for the garnish.
  • Boil the milk on medium-high heat in a non-stick pan until it is reduced to about to 1 cup. Stir often to ensure the milk does not burn in the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a frying pan on medium heat. Add the shredded carrots and stir-fry for about seven to eight minutes. Carrots should be tender and slightly changed in color.
  • Add the milk and cook until the milk dries. This will take about eight to ten minutes.
  • Next add the sugar, and cardamom powder and stir-fry for another three to four minutes until the halwa starts to leave the side of frying pan.
  • Garnish with cashew nuts.

Notes

Tips:
Gajar Halwa can be refrigerated for up to one week and kept in the freezer for up to two months.
When ready to serve just warm.
Suggestion:
Cook the halwa a little more and pour on a greased plate.
Spread the halwa until it is flat and 3/4 inch thick.
After the halwa cools, cut in squares.
Garnish with cashew nuts or sliced almonds.
 
Keyword Carrot Halwa, Delicacy, Dessert, Gajrela, Gluten Free
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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153 thoughts on “Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)

  1. Manjula
    I hope you’re not fed up of my questions!!
    But you have inspired me to cook. Your recipes can allow every one to follow their passion of cooking. You’re gifted!!!!

    Manjula, I use Land O lakes unsalted sweet butter. It comes in sticks. How much will make 3 tbs.

  2. Hello Aunty

    I tried making this dish for 8 serves . As your dish suggest for 4 serves, I just doubled up the ingredients as shown in your recipe. Followed all the other instructions but it’s almost half an hour but the milk has not dried up at all. Can u tell me what went wrong?

  3. Hi, I love this dish and would love to make it at home. Your recipe looks wonderful, but I wonder if it’s possible to use canned evaporated milk or even sweetened condensed milk instead of reducing the 2 cups of milk? Thanks so much.

  4. Amazing what good work you do. Thanks for sharing your Knowledge. Awesome, Superb Gaja Ka Halwa.. Manjula ji. sharing all your wonderful Recipes its a Blessing. Give me the opportunity to try and make some. My husband introduce me to to Gaja Ka Halwa, which I really loved. Majority sweets you make are my Favourites..Looking forward forall your delicious recipes..

  5. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Carrot halwa is my absolute favorite dessert, but the nearest place that makes a good one is almost an hour away from my house. Tonight I used your recipe, and just made carrot halwa as good as (or better than) I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Again, thank you for the recipe and posting the videos- it’s so helpful to see the recipe done step by step, it makes a world of difference.

  6. The video makes it look simple. Perfect for me who’s going to make an Indian sweet dish for the very first time! It looks yummy! 🙂 Thank you so much! 🙂

      1. Did you add piping hot milk to the carrots while it was cooking?
        That could be the reason. If the milk it too hot when you add it to gajar, it will curdle and the milk proteins will burn as you cook further. That’s what make your gajar halwa turn black! Milk should be at room temperature or just lukewarm when you add to carrots while cooking.

  7. Thank you for sharing your knowledge Manjula. I have a question regarding this carrot halwa. When I make it the milk solids turn into white particles in the halwa. This does not look so nice. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to prevent it. In your photo I don’t see any white particles and your carrots look so bright and glossy.

  8. Thank u so much mrs. Manjula ji…..I really like all ur recipes ..gajar ka halwa recipe was v v nice ..thnx so much for sharing with us all..waiting for more n more recipes ..

  9. How do you make Punjabi Mulee ka roti ( Radish inside the roti) I forget… because also my next door Punjabi aunty use to make this Mulee ka roti.. I hope to get your advises.

    Plus how to make Punjabi style Taarka with all different beans..? I forgot all the beans name.?

  10. Dearest Auntie,

    I miss India so much because I am based in Taiwan now.

    Thanks a lot for your teaching us how to cook Gajar ka Halwa.
    I love this so much and I miss the days when I was in India eating Gajar ka Halwa made by my next door auntie who is Punjabi makes good Halwa and Paaratha to go alongwith.

    Thanks for this video I will try tomorrow to cook

  11. dear Manjula
    gajar ka halwa superb and when i observe the picture recipe its mouth wandering excellent reccipe i tried it. i recieved nice complements from my husband. your recipe’s instructions are very simple those are nice to follow
    once again thanks alottttttttttttttttttttt

  12. Hi Aunty,

    Thanks so much for sharing this recipe and video! Your instructions are always so easy to follow and your measurements are so accurate. I’ve been wanting to learn how to make gajar ka halwa for years now, but have been intimidated from trying it. Your method is traditional, yet so easy to follow! I can’t believe that on my first try, it actually looked like the one you made and it tastes delicious, too! I added a few extra spoons of sugar, but later realized that your amount is probably perfect for this rich dessert. I also put a whole cardomom, but it did not incorporate the flavor into the dish this way. Next time, I’ll add the cardomom to the milk (I don’t know how to powder cardamom to the fine texture I like and am not a big fan of cardamom).

  13. My hubby and I recently had carrot halwa from a restaurant and we loved it. He told me to learn to make it and i’m very eager to try out new recipes as i love to cook! I got the chance to make it today but just reduced quantities. I didn’t have cardamon powder so sprinkled some cinnamon and I didn’t have nuts either. It was very tasty and so easy to make aunty ji! I will add a bit more sugar next time though. I will make it again over the weekend as it will be Eid.
    Thank you for a delicious and simple recipe!

  14. Hi manjula aunty,

    i tried your carrot halwa, it was just so superb wish i tried your recipe when i was in india so thay my husband wud have tasted, no worries im expecting my hus after 2 months, i will surely make it for him, all viewer who have come here please try all recipe they are just wonderfull 🙂

  15. hi manjula auntie namsate iwant to asku wbout this gajar ka halwa agar hum milk microwave mai alag kerte hai aur gajar alag kerte hai to carrot kachhe nahi rehte na kuki normally hum bhaut sare milk mai gajar ka halwa banate hai ghante tak tab wo soft hote hai muje yeh idea bhaut acha laga lkein just want to know kuki mai ab aise hi bannanewali hu halwa pls muje reply dena thanks

  16. Woww!! luv gajar ka halwa alot..!. YummMmy….:p
    i made it many a times but the problem which exist when i make it,the milk which i put in it,doesnt soaks the carrot… so plz can u help me out of this problem….
    soon reply.m waiting….!

    1. Hi Sania, since you got no reply and i might know what the problem was, let me see if i can help. The heat should be on medium and the pan should be uncovered. If you find the milk dries too quickly, just lower the heat so you have more control over it. The heat shouldn’t be too low or it will take ages to dry up. Hope this helps 🙂

  17. Aunty,

    Your recipes are wonderful and so simple! I had no idea about cooking when I got married. I learnt so much for you. My grandmother and you have such similar cooking styles.

    Thanks a lot for another delicious recipe!

  18. dear aunty
    I love you so much for your simple recipes. Like this gajar ka halwa. Most of the recipes on the internet will ask to get milkmaid or khoya or what not But your recipe is so simple and yummy too!

  19. After having Gajar ka Halwa at a restaurant, I had to make it for myself. After screwing up another recipe I found, I gave Manjula’s a try and it came out very well. I’m looking forward to trying more recipes from this site.

    1. I was about to try a simplified version of this recipe from another site, but was afraid it would come out bad (even their picture didn’t look appetizing). I knew that Manjula Aunty’s recipes always come out perfect so might as well try this one instead, even if it’s a bit more work. It actually was not that hard to make and didn’t take as long as I expected. It tastes great and looks awesome!

  20. Always loved carrot halwa, but didn’t have a proper recipe. Your recipe was an amazing one. Thanks a lot aunty. Looking forward for more good ones 🙂

  21. Thanks Aunty! I have been meaning to try and make this for ages…Buh i haven’t found a recipe which was easy to follow until i saw yours:)
    i finally made it today and mashallah it was delicious ….Thankyou

  22. I just made this now using ur recipe and it came out absolutely delicious. Thank you for ur great recipes, next I’m gonna try the round gulab jamun’s in syrup which is my favorite 🙂

  23. Hello Manjulaji,

    Just wanted to let you know that I made this last weekend and it was *superb*!!! Literally, couldn’t stop eating it! Many, many thanks for posting such a wonderful and relatively easy to do recipe – my stomach thanks you!

    Any chance you have a Badam Halwa recipe? I’m sure you do . . . !!!

  24. I made this for the first time last night. It was so good, that I made it again tonight. Thank you for such a wonderful, informative website!

  25. Thank you! I had this yesterday at an amazing Indian restaurant in Columbus, OH. Had to make it today, I enjoyed it so much. Your recipe and instructions were spot on and I just enjoyed my first dish! Thank you!

  26. Thank you so much for this lovely video and all the rest you have. I am so glad that you made this video as I always thought that carrot halwa was very difficult to make. You made it so simple that my friends have even asked me how to make it.

    Please keep the videos coming as without them its impossible to get he dish right.

    Really respect your work and your style its so gentle and brilliant. You are a great teacher. Hugs.

    Ambreen Javid, Manchester, UK

    1. I can’t agree with this comment anymore! You’re right on about everything. The videos and instructions together make it super easy for a novice to make it at home. I love the simple, gentle style and the excellent explanations for why we do things a certain way or what reactions occur (ie: the sugar will release water for this recipe).

  27. All your receipes are just delicious and very easy to follow.I live in Denmark and I am very glad to follow your receipes. You do a great job in teaching us as to how we should cook. Thank you.

  28. hello Manjula Aunty,

    Can you please tell me as what type of milk you had used? I maen did you take fat-free, 1%, 2% or whole milk. Can you please let me know as soon as possible as on 4 apr 2011 i am planning to prepare this or Shirkhand(still not decided what to make from this two) as it is “Guddi Padva” our new year

    thanks


    Manik

  29. Thank you manjula ji for giving us such a beautiful site, cooking has become very simple for me now.So far i have tried besan k laddo, moong dal ka halwa and badam ki barfi

  30. Hi Aunty,

    I tried this carrot halwa and every body liked it.
    Got excellent comments from friends.
    I really like your website.
    Will definitely try other recipes also..

  31. This is delicious.
    I made this for dessert this evening, but as I was busy making a few other dishes (Bainan Bjarta, Rice and Chana Dal), I substituted
    1 cup of canned evaporated vitamin D milk,
    rather than stand over the stove to reduce the 2 cups of milk. I just added it to the carrots like in step 6.
    I haven’t made it the other way yet, or tasted this before, but I’m pretty pleased with the results. It may be my new addiction. 🙂

  32. Manjula Ji,

    I was missing this classic dish, since when I left Jaipur, where this is very famous in one of the sweet stall by name LAKSHMI MISHTAN BHANDAR.

    Today I tried @ home and to my surprise the taste is very gud.

    Thnx again making my memories afresh

    Vijay

  33. Manjulaji, thanks for an easy demonstration on how to make a new favorite dessert. Somehow I missed this wonderful treat until my travels through South India where it often became a sought-after night cap. Look forward to more.

    1. Manjula ji, This is the first recipe i tried from your site. Its great and so simple. Your recipes are so homely with no fancy stuff. Thanks a lot. I will try other ones too. You are helping Indians who are away from home and do not know much cooking. I thank you for the tip on microwaving the milk instead of boiling it on the stove.

  34. Dear Mangulla, You come out in your video demonstrations as a warm, large hearted lady who really likes to cook and share her recipes. God Bless, you certainly have graced many, many homes with the wonderful food you turn out.

    I tried your Pista Kulfi today. It is resting in the freezer ready to be eaten tomorrow. By the look and smell of it, it certainly is a relish to be desired.

    Thank You once again and will certainly drop you a line to let you know of the outcome.

    Sunita.

  35. Dear Manjula Aunty,
    Mom and I tried out a lot of your recipes and they are very delicious!! Mom cooks almost every recipe she watches. Your blog has brought about a great deal of change in her cooking and all of us are loving it . The best thing about your recipes is that you use really less fat content and they are very nutritious.
    Thanks a lot for sharing your recipes,
    Loads of love,
    Apurva

  36. Mom and I tried your recipes and and the dishes taste very good. Mom loves to watch you cook and she tried out almost every recipe she watches . Your blog has brought about a change in the style of her cooking and all of us love it a lot. Mom says she loves your cooking because the amount of fat is really less and all the recipes are very nutritious.
    Thanks a lot for sharing your recipes.
    Loads of love
    Apurva

  37. Hi Aunty Manjula,

    Thank you for all your help to us wives who love to cook Indian dishes. I have tried making Gajar ka Halwa using your recipe and it was a hit to my husband. It is simple and delicious. But I find that the amount of milk is too much which requires me to cook it for long time until it dries. Nowadays I add around 1/4 cup less of milk.

    All the best to your site.

    Regards,
    Maricar

  38. Manjulaji,

    I really love watching you cook. Needless to say the recipes are really nice.
    Thank you for sharing, please keep adding more recipes.

    With warm regards,
    Mita.

  39. This is a very good recipe and my family loved it. I love watching you cook, you are so peaceful and calming with very clear instructions. Thank you. You are appreciated.

    Rachel

  40. Thanks so much for such an easy recipe! I tried it last week and it came out really good. I use to boil the gajar in milk and then saute it in Ghee. But your method the halwa tasted much better.

  41. Thanks a lot aunty..i thought it would be difficult to make gajrela..so called gajar ka halwa…but your recipe is tremendous good and it was so easy to made!!!

  42. thanks for the recipe…….. i never new it is so easy to make at home… i tried it now it turned out well…… can u add some souffle recipes………

  43. Just made this today and it turned out well. I added a little more sugar than the 1/4 cup.

    FYI, it takes about 4 to 5 medium carrots to make 2 cups of grated carrots.

    I omitted the cashews but the halwa was still really good.

  44. Namaste Auntiji,

    I have made this gajar ka halwa and it turned out delicious. My boyfriend really enjoys it and he is a fussy eater. Thankyou for your wonderful recipe. I will continue to look through your recipes for other ideas.

    I hope you enjoy your diwali this year.

    Thanks,

    Joanne

  45. hello manjula aunty,
    i would like to thank u a lot for all the wonderful recipes posted by u.its a great pleasure to feel home once again away from india.i chanced your website on youtube and since then your been my all time fav.thank you aunty!

  46. I made this earlier, it is amazingly nice! I didn’t realise it would be this easy to make. I did as you suggested and cooked a little longer in order to press it into a pan and slice later, but I’m afraid I ate already about 1/3rd of the mixture while still warm so there’s not a lot left =)
    Thank you again!

  47. Here’s a suggestion for those that have juicers at home-

    I have a juicer that I often make carrot juice with… in the end, I am left with all this carrot pulp that used to end up in the garbage because I didn’t know what to do with it… I used this same pulp to make Gajar ka halva using Manjula’s recipe and it came out really nice.

  48. Hi Aunty,

    I am excited to try your gajrala recipe, it looks really good. I was wondering, however, when to add in the cardamon powder? Thank you for your wonderful videos, they have tought me so much!!

  49. hi aunty
    i m really thankful to u for great recipes video..i want to ask one thing that can i use milk cream instead of milk in the halwa please tell me????
    thanks very much
    regards
    kiran

  50. hello aunty ji,
    i am british and my family is punjabi so i look at your website everyday. thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes.they help me learn to cook for my husband and mum in law. she is staying with us in u.k. on her holidays.she is very impressed with my cooking.thanks to you aunty ji.i just tried carrot halwa….excellent video,very informative and easy to follow.my family send their good wishes to you and your family.
    more recipes please,could you please show me how to cook chicken pakora for important party next week? love and good health to you from ann singh

  51. Hi aunty …. your recipes are wonderful .. I’ve started cooking recently and your videos are simply great as I’m a novice ..

    I wanted to ask you if we can make this halwa with ghee rather than unsalted butter … could you also give the measurements?

    Thank you

  52. Hello Anty

    Today i tried your carrot halwa. Went well… really nice taste. i am south indian girl. I going to try all your(north indian recipe. Everything is new for me….Thanx a lot…

  53. Me and my friends are in Glasgow for 2 months. Here we cook food daily with the help of your amazing recipes. Our food in glasgow is incomplete without your recipe.
    Thanks a Lot.

  54. Simply wonderful Aunty. Felt so homely – so sincerely showing meto cook. Hats off !! Couldn’t beleive my eyes when I bumped into you.
    Definitely going to come here often. Just finished making your palak paneer – simply superb.
    You are a blessing – thanks Aunty

  55. Hello Aunty,
    I made Gajar ki halwa today for Durga puja looking the recipe on your website. It was so tasty, and my friends praised me after eating. Thanks a lot for putting the recipies here on net. Thanks again.
    Wish you a happy durga puja.

    Regards,
    Bapu

  56. Dear Aunty,
    My wife has gone to India for two months and I am on my own. You excellent recipies have made a nice ook out of me. Tomorrow is Krishna Janamashtami and I am going to try this Gajar Ka Halwa for Prasad. Thanks a lot for making my life easier.
    Regards,
    Abhay

  57. Auntyji,i hv tried ur recipe n halwa came out yummy..i liked that u fried carrirts first instead of adding milk firts,i think dta makes the difference.Now,i hv aquestion,can i use half and half instead of reducing mik?if yes,then how much half n half milk shud i use?

  58. Oh my goodness. This makes this dish so simple and absolutely delicious! I’ve made this several times and it just gets better everytime. Like Caren I’ve added raisins, but I brown them and the cashews in some ghee and they are really good.

    Also I sprinkle a little kewra water over the top after I take it from the heat. It really purfumes it well and I like the addition. Anybody else do this?

    Thank you so much Manjulaji.

  59. Hi Manjula

    I made this today, it turned out great! I changed a couple of things. After reducing the milk for a while I added the sugar and the cardamom powder and kept boiling the milk for a couple of minutes for and thus so incorporating the cardamom & sugar into the milk. I also added a handful of raisins when I added the milk to carrots. Great Website Thanks!

  60. Dear Manjulaji,

    Thank you for serving the community.

    You are doing a great favor that most parents can not ever do. (us)

    Yes most of us are un aware of the great recipes.

    Thank you again’

    Surendra Parikshak

  61. your recipies come out really excellent as I’ve tried all pls don’t stop just keep giving as I feel they all are easy available & delicious .
    thanks a lot

  62. hello manjula ji….tried carrot halwa….just cant wait praising u…its the best item i have ever prepared…thank u so much…awesome taste i must say…very easy to make…it tempts me to make the nxt week too..hats off to ur hardwork….

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