khoya carrot halwa recipe with stepwise photos. this is a delicious and quick method to make carrot halwa with khoya (mawa), carrots, sugar, ghee and dry fruits.
khoya (evaporated milk solids) gives a nice texture and flavor to this halwa. i have used homemade instant khoya for the halwa but you can also use store-bought khoya.
this halwa is made quite often at our place during winters. its the beginning of winters here and it is a different fun altogether to eat a hot bowl of halwa at this time of the year. your family will relish this khoya carrot halwa as its very tasty.
it is quite a popular dessert in north india. i have already shared a few other versions of making it like
- pressure cooker carrot halwa – quick method.
- carrot halwa – traditional slow-cooked method.
- vegan carrot pudding – made with almond milk.
the halwa tastes good whether you serve it warm or chilled. in many indian functions and weddings vanilla ice cream is served along with warm gajar halwa as a dessert. we have tasted this combination at a wedding and a few restaurants. this combination of halwa with ice-cream tastes delicious.
during winters we get nice red juicy carrots in india. i have used delhi carrots but you can use english carrots also for this sweet dessert. you can grate the carrots with a grater or use a food processor. also, you can add your choice of dry fruits.
how to make khoya carrot halwa
1. firstly rinse and then peel 1.5 kilo carrots. you can use about 11 to 12 delhi carrots.
2. then grate the carrots with a handheld grater or a food processor. i have used a handheld grater but a food processor will take lesser time and will be more convenient.
3. place the grated carrots aside. in cup measurement, you will get 9 cups of tightly packed grated carrots.
4. measure all the ingredients and keep ready for making the carrot halwa.
5. heat 6 tablespoons ghee in a deep bottomed heavy pan or kadai.
6. add the grated carrots.
7. mix and stir the carrots very well with the ghee.
8. on low flame sauté the carrots till they turn tender and are cooked. this process will take about 15 to 20 minutes.
9. keep on stirring often while sauteing the carrots.
10. once the carrots become tender and are cooked, then add 2 cups of crumbled or grated khoya (mawa or evaporated milk solids). i have used homemade instant khoya but you can also use store-bought khoya or mawa.
11. mix and stir very well.
12. keep stirring for a minute on low flame.
13. then add 1 to 1.25 cups sugar. you can add sugar as required. depending upon the sweetness in the khoya you can always adjust the amount of sugar. sometimes the khoya is sweet and sometimes not. if the khoya is on the sweeter side then you can add about 1 cup of sugar.
14. mix very well.
15. soon the khoya will begin to melt. the sugar will also melt and leave the water.
16. then add ⅓ cup of cashews, ⅓ cup golden raisins, 1 tablespoon pistachios (chopped or slivered) and cardamom powder.
17. mix very well and continue to cook the halwa on a low flame stirring often. the halwa will start thickening and reducing. stir often.
18. the halwa will thicken and leave the edges of the pan. that’s the time you switch off the flame. check the taste and add sugar if required. take the halwa in a large glass bowl or a steel container. cover and keep aside.
19. then you can serve khoya carrot halwa hot or warm. you can also refrigerate and serve the halwa chilled. while serving, garnish with a few dry fruits. for more delicious carrot recipes you can check this collection of 25 carrot recipes.
more halwa varieties
khoya carrot halwa
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 kilogram carrots or 9 cups tightly packed grated carrots
- 6 tablespoons ghee or clarified butter
- 2 cups khoya or mawa - grated or crumbled (evaporated milk solids) or 400 to 410 grams of khoya
- 1 to 1.25 cups sugar or add as required
- 8 to 9 green cardamoms, – powdered in a mortar-pestle
- 1 tablespoon pistachios, chopped or slivered (optional)
- ⅓ cup cashews, or add as required
- ⅓ cup golden raisins or add as required
INSTRUCTIONS
grating carrots
- firstly rinse 1.5 kg carrots. then peel them.
- grate the peeled carrots with a hand held grater or a food processor.
- place the grated carrots aside.
making khoya carrot halwa
- heat 6 tablespoons ghee in a deep bottomed heavy pan or kadai.
- add the grated carrots.
- mix and stir the carrots very well with the ghee.
- on low flame saute the carrots till they turn tender and are cooked. this process will take about 15 to 20 minutes.
- keep on stirring often while sauteing the carrots.
- once the carrots become tender and are cooked, then add 2 cups of crumbled or grated khoya (mawa or evaporated milk solids).
- mix very well. keep stirring for a minute.
- next add 1 to 1.25 cups sugar. depending upon the sweetness in the khoya you can always adjust the amount of sugar. sometimes the khoya is sweet and sometimes not. if the khoya is on the sweeter side then you can add about 1 cup of sugar.
- mix very well.
- soon the khoya will begin to melt and sugar will also melt and leave water.
- then add ⅓ cup of cashews, ⅓ cup golden raisins, 1 tablespoon pistachios (chopped or silvered) and cardamom powder.
- mix very well and continue to cook the halwa on a low flame stirring often. the halwa will start thickening and reducing. stir often.
- the halwa will thicken and leave the edges of the pan. that's the time you switch off the flame. check the taste and add sugar if required.
- serve khoye wala gajar halwa warm or chilled. you can also refrigerate and serve the halwa chilled. while serving, garnish with a few dry fruits.
Dassana i like all your recipes i am big fan of all your recipes
thanks dr vandana. glad and happy cooking.
If we have to buy khoya from store then how many grams one needs for this recipe?also is this easier than the one where we cook the carrots in milk?
Ashwini, it is easier and faster recipe for making this halwa. 1 cup tightly packed khoya is 200 grams. So 2 cups will be 400 to 410 grams of khoya.
I tried the recipe and the outcome was really tasty 🙂
Thanks
Welcome Megha. Glad to know that you liked this gajar ka halwa recipe.