gajar ka halwa with khoya | carrot halwa with khoya

gajar ka halwa with khoya. this is a delicious carrot halwa made with khoya (mawa), carrots, sugar, ghee and dry fruits.

khoya (evaporated milk solids) gives a nice texture and flavor to this carrot halwa. i have used homemade instant khoya for the halwa but you can also use store bought khoya.

gajar ka halwa is made quite often at our place during winters. its the beginning of winters here and its a different fun altogether to eat a hot bowl of carrot halwa at this time of the year. your family will relish this carrot halwa as its very tasty.

gajar halwa is quite a popular dessert in north india. i have already shared five versions of carrot halwa:

1. pressure cooker carrot halwa (quick method)
2. gajar ka halwa with milkmaid (made with condensed milk)
3. carrot halwa (traditional slow cooked method)
4. vegan carrot pudding (made with almond milk)
5. microwave gajar halwa (very quick method)

the best part of gajar halwa is that it tastes good whether you serve it warm or chilled. in many indian functions and weddings vanilla ice cream is served along warm gajar halwa as a dessert. we have tasted this combination at a wedding and 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.

if you are looking for more halwa varieties then do check:

• rava kesari
• atte ka halwa
• moong dal halwa
• badam halwa

preparation to make carrot halwa with khoya

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 hand held grater or a food processor. i have used a hand held 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.

making gajar ka halwa with khoya

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 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 gajar halwa on a low flame stirring often. the carrot halwa will start thickening and reducing. stir often.

18. the carrot halwa will thicken and leave the edges of the pan. thats the time you switch off the flame. check the taste and add sugar if required. take the carrot halwa in a large glass bowl or a steel container. cover and keep aside.

19. then you can serve gajar halwa hot or warm. you can also refrigerate and serve chilled gajar halwa. while serving, garnish with a few dry fruits. for more delicious carrot recipes you can check this collection of 25 recipes made with carrots.