The other day I was craving so much for something sweet - something which reminds me of home, gives me the feeling of my mom by my side, gets done with minimum work and effort yet delectable enough to get lost in its senses! That's a huge order isn't it? Then BINGO!!!!! Carrot Halwa - a.k.a Gajar Ka Halwa or for more broader understanding Indian Carrot pudding. What? You haven't heard of it? You have not tasted it yet? You must be kidding me!! Go Go now - Take a skillet and make them now - its worth moving every small muscle including your tongue :)

My mom makes one of the best carrot halwa ( and so do a billion other mothers! Moms are such - especial!) and more so the fact that she used to make them specifically for an occasion - Birthday? No, Wedding Anniversary? - Naaaaaah! mmmmm? Did you say Festivals? Nope - Our festivals have South Indian sweets. Then whats the occasion you ask? You wouldn't guess it at all - She made it every last day of my exams - be it stupid unit tests, Term exams or the main annual examinations! yeah I know what you are thinking - "This girl must have been a total hardworking girl who aced her exams so much so that her mom made it even before the results"!! hehehe jokes on you! My marks, my performance or my so called "hard work" had nothing to do with it. She was just happy that I was happy that my exams were over ( or she had some other secret "at last relief from bickering" reasons - I dunno. But I got this favorite without fail.

So after making the halwa, one spoon in hand and mom's photo in another, I spent some good quality minutes with her in my thoughts --aaah those days! While I get lost in nostalgic thoughts, check out my mom's recipe ( tweaked by me)

  • Cook time:
  • Prep time:
  • Serves: 2 people
Ingredients
  • 2 cups carrot, grated
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 tbsp Pistachio, chopped ( optional)
  • 1/2 cup ghee
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 tbsp broken cashews, toasted
Method
1.

Heat a non stick pan, heat the ghee and then add the carrots, saute till the raw smell of the carrots is replaced by distinct aroma.

2.

Then add both the milk and cook for another 10min or until the milk is almost absorbed.

3.

Add sugar and cardamom and cook further till it all comes to a single mass.

4.

Now garnish this with the pistachios if using and cashews and let the taste buds take over. You can also use raisins for this recipe although I personally like this as it is.

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4 Member Reviews

By sameera on Aug 15, 2012

I love your website... \"smiley\"Am a not- so-good cook and very recently started cooking by myself... (was spoilt by my mom and did not have to step into the kitchen). I always thought cooking was a very tedious and difficult task but you make it look so simple and the dishes you have are really good... You are now my reference guide away from home.. \"smiley\"\"smiley\" And I made the gajar halwa and it has come out really good.. \"smiley\"

By Suha on Jan 5, 2011

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28 Comments

By priya on Nov 8, 2011

Another great way to make gajar halwa is to use carrots and condensed milk in a pressure cooker. I made it the other day and it actually tastes like the halwa I get in India! :-P

By Aishwarya on Aug 7, 2011

Hi, I simply love your recipes and the way you plate them! I am planning to make carrot halwa for 12 people. How many carrots should I be using?

By A on Jul 27, 2011

I boil the carrots in milk (reduced to half- 1 kg carrots = 1 l milk reduced to half) and add a lump of khoya to it towards the end for the ghee bit. Since I make ghee at home, I get a sizeable quantity of khoya (at least I did in India!). For the dry fruit, I add half a teaspoon of ghee and "fry" them in the microwave. Turns out just the same without oodles of fat. For adults, I use Splenda but the carrot doesn't caramelize as it does with sugar. So sometimes, I add a tablespoon of sugar (subtacting a similar quantity of Splenda) just for caramelization.

By Dalia on Feb 3, 2011

I Made This!!! Coudn't use I-made-this button, because it asks to choose between certain accounts - I made this not as gmail or facebook user, but as blogger. My blog post Morkų chalva http://www.7ravioli.com/morku-chalva/

By Morkų chalva - Gajar Ka Halwa | Septyni virtieniai on Feb 3, 2011

[...] Šaltinis Carrot Halwa (Gajar Ka Halwa) [...]

By megna on Jun 18, 2010

That is a great story! I always read the tale behind your recipe's first and then look at the ingredients!. My mum used to make it for my birthday every year and even till today-when I am in the US :)

By Rathnam on Mar 30, 2010

Hi DK, I want to make this for a party (40 people).Can you please suggest how many pounds of carrots I need. Thanks in advance

I think depending on how much each person enjoys, you will need anywhere between 10-14 pounds of carrots. I hope this helps. I havent really cooked for so many ppl yet hence cant be perfectly sure --DK

By Ramya on Feb 26, 2010

Hi, Please someone tell me what is evaporated milk?...or do u get it in shops (if so what is it called?)

By Hetal on Feb 26, 2010

Hi! I actually tried this recipe and it turned out really great!!! I might reduce the sugar next time to 3/4 cup, but otw it was awesome!!!! It did not take too long to make either. Thanks for the recipe!!

By Sheuli on Nov 13, 2008

Hi, Good recipe. I've a microwave and fatfree version of the same recipe at http://sheulimarkets.wordpress.com

Kindly send me your review for the same.

By Anonymous on Nov 1, 2008

nice recipe!
can anyone tell me how to make evaporated milk? or where can i get it?

By easycrafts on Aug 25, 2008

Tempting halwa dear...an anytime dessert for me.thanks for participating

By pickyeater on Aug 14, 2008

I would love to try this. Never had carrot halvah. Are you from the Gulf because you spell carrot in Arabic the way they say it.

By Curry Leaf on Aug 13, 2008

Absolutely delicious

By Uma on Aug 13, 2008

aha, this is one delicious carrot halwa. Who cares about amount of ghee or sugar if you make it this yummy. Beautiful presentation.

By Vanamala on Aug 13, 2008

lovelyyyyyyyy dk.

By Divya Vikram on Aug 13, 2008

Looks divine Dhiv!!

By Meeta on Aug 13, 2008

This looks absolutely lovely. I love gajar ka halwa (have a recipe on my blog too) and could easily eat kilos of the stuff!

By SMN on Aug 13, 2008

looks very yummy one of my top fav this is ........

By sunita on Aug 13, 2008

Yup, Mom's recipes are the best!

Thanks Dk, for this lovely entry :-)

By Priti on Aug 13, 2008

The picture looking so yummy and tempting on top of it your running commentary ! Why do you have torture all of us here like this with such wonderful halwa!! Halwa looking just awesome..love your presentation and very good entry for all the events ;)...and ya I too make carrot halaw just the same way...everything same (I shall not say anything abt ghee & sugar now)

By Dhanggit on Aug 13, 2008

Mothers indeed concoct the best recipes! This indian carrot pudding sounds delectable!! thanks for this delicious entry!!

By Srivalli on Aug 12, 2008

girl you are making me sick with passion for that bowl!!!..what a neat presentation dhivi, it looks sooo yum!..carrot halwa needs nothing but mom's love...love to know the reason for your mom's making this..maybe she used to do cos you do your exams well waiting for the halwa to come!!!..:)

By Nags on Aug 12, 2008

that looks lovely!! i always have carrot halwa with ice cream, somehow cant have it on its own, tends to get too sweet :)

By Maheswari on Aug 12, 2008

Halwa looks YUM! One of my most fav halwa.Still remember making it for in laws for the first time.Got too excited and ended making too much and stirring for hours..:D

By Pooja on Aug 12, 2008

Love the Last pic tooooooooo much D :) .
thanks you for this wonderful dish as an entry for I-Day .
Mom are really sooo special always.....

By Simran on Aug 12, 2008

Looks lovely! I thought of making it once, but it's never going to be as good as mom's so what's the point :)

By notyet100 on Aug 12, 2008

this looks so yumnd nice colour too..:-)