--- title: "Gajar Halwa Recipe (Carrot Halwa)" url: https://www.whiskaffair.com/gajar-ka-halwa-carrot-halwa/ date: 2025-11-03 modified: 2025-11-03 lang: en author: "Neha Mathur" description: "Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa) is one of the most sought after traditional Indian dessert." categories: - "Diwali" - "Indian" - "Indian Gluten Free" - "Indian Sweets & desserts" - "Rakshabandhan" image: https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Gajar-Ka-Halwa-2-3.jpg word_count: 1556 --- # Gajar Halwa Recipe (Carrot Halwa) **Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)** is one of the most sought-after traditional Indian desserts. It is made with red carrots, milk, khoya, and sugar. You would easily spot it on the dessert counters at popular festivals, weddings, or special occasions. Make the best gajar ka halwa at home using my easy recipe. If you love red carrots, here are some of my other recipes you can try: [Carrot Milk](https://www.whiskaffair.com/carrot-milk-recipe/), [Carrot Raita](https://www.whiskaffair.com/carrot-raita-recipe/), and [Gajar Methi Sabji](https://www.whiskaffair.com/gajar-methi-recipe/). ![Gajar ka halwa served in a bowl.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Gajar-Ka-Halwa-2-1.jpg) There are some recipes you want to hold on to, and **my mom's Gajar ka Halwa** is one of them. I personally believe that these classic recipes deserve to be prepared in a traditional manner. This recipe for carrot halwa might look intimidating at first, but trust me, **the use of proper ingredients in the right quantities and the effort that goes into making it make a significant difference in the result**, which is totally worth it. I do suggest that you eat this halwa in moderation so you can enjoy it to the fullest. While every house has its own recipe for carrot halwa, I can assure you that I receive numerous accolades for this recipe, which was passed down to me by my mom. **I am glad I learned her recipe and am now sharing it with you all to try.** ## About Gajar Halwa **Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa, Indian Carrot Pudding)** is a popular North Indian and Pakistani winter dessert made with red carrots. People have given it many lovely names in their own language, including **gajrela, gajar pak, or gajorer halwa.** This dessert is **made mostly in winter when red carrots are in season**. You will find all the sweet shops in Northern India selling this delicacy during winter. People also make it at home as the taste of homemade halwa is unmatchable, and you are sure of the ingredients that go into making it. ## Ingredients **Carrots **- The best gajar halwa is made using red carrots, which are available only in winter. These carrots are also known as Delhi carrots or Desi gajar. They are sweet and give the halwa a nice red color. Check your nearby Indian grocery stores to buy them. They are mostly available from November to February. This gajar halwa recipe can also be made using black carrots, but they are not very easily available. So if you get a hold of them, you can try this recipe using them. Use orange carrots to make this halwa only if red carrots are unavailable, as the taste of carrot halwa made using orange carrots is not the best. **Granulated White Sugar **- I prefer my carrot halwa to be mildly sweet, and the sugar measurement is adjusted according to my taste. However, you can adjust the sugar according to your sweet preference. You can also replace the granulated white sugar with brown sugar or powdered jaggery. **Milk and Khoya** - I always use whole milk (full-fat milk) to make this recipe. Khoya (also known as Khava or Milk Solids) is traditionally used to make this halwa recipe. You should be able to find it at an Indian grocery store near you. If you are unable to obtain Khoya, you can mix milk powder with milk to create a thick dough and use it as a substitute for Khoya. **Ghee** adds richness and makes this gajar halwa even more delicious. I would not suggest making this in oil; always opt for ghee. **Nuts **- You would love this halwa with lots of slivered almonds and pistachios. They give a nice crunch to soft halwa. You can also add cashew nuts and raisins to your recipe. I use freshly ground **cardamom powder** to flavor the halwa. **Saffron strands** add a nice, rich flavor to the halwa, so I always recommend them. ## How To Make Carrot Halwa Recipe - Step By Step ### Preparation Start with the carrots. Wash (1 lb) 500 g of red carrots with water and peel their outer skin using your vegetable peeler. Then, grate the peeled carrots using the medium-holed box grater. Discard the top, which is hard to grate. You can also use a food processor fitted with a grater attachment to do this. ![Grated carrots.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carrot-Halwa-Step-1.jpg) Now, grate 120 g of khoya using the medium-holed box grater. Gather all the remaining ingredients. ### Make The Halwa **Step 1:** Add grated red carrots and 2 cups of whole milk to a heavy-bottomed pan and mix well. ![Carrot and milk added to a pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carrot-Halwa-Step-2.jpg) **Step 2:** Cook the mixture on medium-low heat until all the milk is absorbed, stirring frequently. It will take about 20-25 minutes.  ![Milk absorbed.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carrot-Halwa-Step-3.jpg) **Step 3:** Once the milk is absorbed and the carrot mixture looks thick, add 60g of ghee to the pan and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently. ![Ghee added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carrot-Halwa-Step-4.jpg) **Step 4:** Next, add 120 g of sugar to the pan and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. **Note****:** You can increase or decrease the amount of sugar to your liking. I like very lightly sweet halwa, and this measurement is perfect for that.  ![Sugar added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carrot-Halwa-Step-5.jpg) **Step 5:* ***Once the sugar has dissolved well in the halwa, add 120 g of grated khoya to the pan and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes, until the ghee starts to separate from the sides of the pan. Continue to stir the mixture frequently throughout the cooking process. ![Khoya added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carrot-Halwa-Step-6.jpg) **Step 6:** Add 1 teaspoon cardamom powder and 4 tablespoons of slivered almonds and pistachios, and mix well. ![Cardamom powder and slivered nuts added to the pan.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carrot-Halwa-Step-7.jpg) **Step 7:** Serve hot. ![Ready gajar ka halwa.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carrot-Halwa-Step-8.jpg) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Why did my gajar ka halwa turn black?** Never fry the carrots in ghee. It might turn their color and make the halwa black. To avoid this, add carrots and milk to the pan and cook until the milk is reduced. Add the ghee later. **Why is my gajar halwa watery?** If you don't cook the cattor with milk enough to evaporate the water, then your halwa will be watery. **Can I make a vegan version of carrot halwa?** Yes, you can easily make a vegan version of this recipe by making a few simple changes. Replace dairy milk with plant-based milk like almond milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk. Ghee can be replaced with coconut oil. In place of Khoya, you can use vegan condensed milk or vegan evaporated milk, or you can make it without it as well. **How long can I store gajar halwa?** Gajar ka halwa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave until nicely hot before serving. You can also freeze it for upto 2 months. Thaw, reheat, and serve. ## Serving Suggestions Gajar Halwa tastes its best when served hot. You can reheat it in a pan or in a microwave. I usually serve it on its own, but sometimes I pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if I am looking for something more indulgent.  You can also serve this halwa at room temperature. For extra crunch, top it with a generous amount of slivered nuts just before serving. To make it extra indulgent, top it with some grated khoya. You can also garnish it with edible silver or gold foil. This halwa can also be eaten during your vrat (Hindu fasting days). ## You Might Also Like [![Badam Kheer (Almond Kheer) is a delicious Indian dessert where milk is cooked with almond paste and saffron. Make it for festivals or special occasions for a delicious treat. ](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Badam-Kheer-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/badam-kheer-recipe/)Indian Sweets & desserts GFIndian Gluten Free ### Badam Kheer Recipe (Almond Kheer, Badam Payasam) [![Seviyan Kheer (Vermicelli Kheer, Sevai Kheer, Semiya Kheer) is a delicious Indian dessert made using vermicelli and milk. Make it for special occasions or festivals using my easy recipe.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Seviyan-Kheer-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/sevai-ki-kheer/)Indian Sweets & desserts ### Seviyan Kheer Recipe (Vermicelli Kheer) [![Basundi is a traditional Indian dessert famous in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and some parts of Karnataka. It is basically thickened and sweetened milk flavored with nutmeg, cardamom, and saffron. Serve it on its own or with poori for a delicious treat (vegetarian, gluten-free).](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Basundi-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/basundi/)Indian Sweets & desserts GFIndian Gluten Free ### Basundi Recipe [![Double ka Meetha is a Hyderabadi-style dessert made using bread slices, sugar syrup, and reduced milk (rabdi). It is popularly made for the festival of Eid and other special occasions. Here is how to make it.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Double-ka-Meetha-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/hyderabadi-double-ka-meetha/)Indian Sweets & desserts ### Double Ka Meetha ![Gajar halwa served in a bowl.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Gajar-Ka-Halwa-2-3-150x150.jpg) [ Print Recipe](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wprm_print/gajar-halwa-recipe-carrot-halwa) - 4.44 from 16 votes ## Gajar Halwa Recipe (Carrot Halwa) **Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)** is one of the most sought-after traditional Indian desserts. It is made with red carrots, milk, khoya, and sugar. You would easily spot it on the dessert counters at popular festivals, weddings, or special occasions. Make the best gajar ka halwa at home using my easy recipe. Prep Time20 minutes minsCook Time1 hour hr 20 minutes minsTotal Time1 hour hr 40 minutes mins Course: DessertCuisine: IndianDiet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian Servings: 6 people Calories: 352kcal Author: [Neha Mathur](https://www.whiskaffair.com/about-me/) ### Ingredients 500 grams red carrots- 2 cups whole milk (full-fat milk)- 60 grams ghee- 120 grams sugar- 120 grams khoya (mawa) grated- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder- 4 tablespoons slivered nuts I used almonds and pistachiosUS Customary - Metric ### Instructions - Wash the carrots with water and peel them using a vegetable peeler.- Then, grate the peeled carrots using the medium-holed box grater. Discard the top, which is hard to grate. You can also use a food processor fitted with a grater attachment to do this.- Add grated red carrots and milk to a heavy-bottomed pan and mix well.- Cook the mixture on medium-low heat until all the milk is absorbed, stirring frequently. It will take about 20-25 minutes. - Once the milk is absorbed and the carrot mixture looks thick, add ghee to the pan and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently.- Next, add sugar to the pan and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.- **Note **– You can increase or decrease the amount of sugar as per your liking. I like very lightly sweet halwa and this measurement is perfect for that. - Once the sugar has dissolved well in the halwa, add khoya to the pan and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes, until the ghee starts to separate from the sides of the pan. Continue to stir the mixture frequently throughout the cooking process.- Add cardamom powder and slivered almonds and pistachios and mix well.- Serve hot. ### Video ### Notes You can replace the red carrots with black carrots, too. Black carrots are available in some parts of India during winter, and they lend a great taste to this halwa. Use orange carrots to make this halwa only if red carrots are unavailable, as the taste of carrot halwa made using orange carrots is not the best. If khoya is not available, then mix milk powder with some milk and make a thick dough. You can use it as a substitute for khoya. ### Nutrition Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 12855IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 261mg | Iron: 0.3mg