Name: Gajar ka Halwa - Indian Carrot Pudding (gluten-free)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp ghee (divided (1 tbsp and 1 tbsp)); 4 cups organic carrots (peeled & shredded); 1 1/2 cups organic whole milk; 1/2 tsp cardamom powder; 5 tbsp sugar; 1/2 cup cashews unsalted (chopped); 1 tbsp pistachios (chopped)

Gajar Ka Halwa recipe with step by step photos which is also known as Gajrela, an Indian Carrot Pudding made during Diwali season. It’s perfect with a cup of masala chai.

What is Gajar ka Halwa?

Gajar ka Halwa also known as Gajrela is an Indian Carrot Pudding that’s prepared with ghee, carrots, milk, sugar, cardamom, and nuts. This is a Punjabi dessert that is widely popular in North India, especially during the winter months and Diwali season. This nutritious Gajrela can be enjoyed both or cold, I personally love my Gajrela hot.

There are many different ways of preparing Gajar ka Halwa, some make it with evaporated milk while others use condensed milk. My version uses whole milk which is how my mom has been making it for as long as I can remember. For this sweet dessert, you can go as crazy as you want with ghee and sugar, however for my version I use 2 tbsp of ghee with a minimal amount of sugar needed. Additionally, this halwa is an excellent source of Vitamin A.

Can I make Gajrela Vegan?

I know many of you are going to ask. 🙂 My response – yes and no. You can certainly replace whole milk with cashew milk. Gajrela is delicious with cashew milk as seen in my Paleo Gajar ka Halwa. With that said, you need ghee for that richness and nutty flavor you can’t possibly get with oil. My response to this question is that you can go partially vegan with this recipe.

Gajar ka Halwa is:

Decadent
Delicious
Flavorful
Gluten-Free
Nutritious
Perfect for Festivals
Paleo (replace sugar with coconut sugar, here is my Paleo Gajar ka Halwa recipe)

How to make Gajar ka Halwa recipe step by step?

1. Peel the carrots. Shred the carrots using the smaller side of the shredder. You can do it by hand or use a food processor.
2. Heat a wok on medium heat, once hot, add 1 tbsp of ghee.
3. Add the carrots and saute for about 8 minutes until the color of the carrots changes.
4. Keep stirring to avoid burning. This is a labor of love.

5. Add milk to the carrots. Cook the carrots and milk down for 6-7 minutes until all the milk is absorbed by the carrots.
6. Keep stirring to avoid sticking and burning.
7. Once all the milk is absorbed, this is what you should have.

8. Add the sugar.
9. Immediately after, add 1 more tbsp of ghee.
10. Keep stirring. until all the water is absorbed which is left behind by the sugar. This process will take about 5-6 minutes.

11. Once done, add cardamom powder. Stir.
12. Add chopped cashews. You can also add almonds, pistachios, and raisins, however I just stick with cashews.
13. Mix well.
14. Dry roast the Carrot Pudding for a couple more minutes so the color of the carrots deepens slightly. Turn off the stove.

Enjoy with a cup of Kadak Masala Chai!

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5 from 9 votes

Gajar ka Halwa - Indian Carrot Pudding (gluten-free)

Gajar ka Halwa also known as Gajrela or Indian Carrot Pudding is an Indian dessert often made during the winter months and Diwali.

Course Desserts

Cuisine Indian

Keyword Carrots, Diwali

DietGluten-Free, Vegetarian, Eggless

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 333kcal

Author Nisha

Ingredients

for Gajar ka Halwa

2 tbsp ghee divided (1 tbsp and 1 tbsp)
4 cups organic carrots peeled & shredded
1 1/2 cups organic whole milk
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
5 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup cashews unsalted chopped

for garnish

1 tbsp pistachios chopped

Instructions

Peel the carrots. Shred the carrots using the smaller side of the shredder. You can do it by hand or use a food processor.
Heat a wok on medium heat, once hot, add 1 tbsp of ghee.
Add the carrots and saute for about 8 minutes until the color of the carrots changes.
Keep stirring to avoid burning. This is a labor of love.
Add milk to the carrots. Cook the carrots and milk down for 6-7 minutes until all the milk is absorbed by the carrots.
Keep stirring to avoid sticking and burning.
Once all the milk is absorbed, this is what you should have.
Add the sugar.
Immediately after, add 1 more tbsp of ghee.
Keep stirring. until all the water is absorbed which is left behind by the sugar. This process will take about 5-6 minutes.
Once done, add cardamom powder. Stir.
Add chopped cashews. You can also add almonds, pistachios, and raisins, however I just stick with cashews.
Mix well.
Dry roast the Gajar ka Halwa for a couple more minutes so the color of the carrots deepens slightly.
Enjoy with a cup of my Kadak Masala Chai.

Equipment

Stainless Steel Wok

Nutrition Facts

Gajar ka Halwa - Indian Carrot Pudding (gluten-free)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 333 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 28mg9%

Sodium 130mg6%

Potassium 656mg19%

Carbohydrates 37g12%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 27g30%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 21532IU431%

Vitamin C 8mg10%

Calcium 152mg15%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @honeywhatscooking or tag #honeywhatscooking! I love seeing your creations!

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