Carrot Sweet Rice Cake (Gajar Halwa)

Carrot Sweet Rice Cake (Gajar Halwa)

Carrot Sweet Rice Cake (Gajar Halwa) is a home-style dessert at difficulty 2/5 (Easy), about 374 kcal. Gajar Halwa is a famous winter dessert in Indian households. Ingredients and step-by-step instructions are below, with notes for home cooking.

Difficulty

2 / 5

★★☆☆☆

Easy
Estimated Calories

374 kcal

Ingredients

  • Carrots (Red carrots are recommended)
  • Whole Milk
  • Sugar
  • Ghee (Ghee)— Can substitute with Butter
  • Cardamom Powder
  • Cashews
  • Almonds
  • Raisins
  • Grater
  • Thick-bottomed pot

Steps

  1. Peel the carrots and grate them finely using a grater.
  2. Heat 20g of ghee (half the amount) in a thick-bottomed pot over medium heat until melted.
  3. Add the grated carrots and stir-fry for **3-5 minutes** until the carrots are soft and have released their aroma.
  4. Pour in 500ml of whole milk and mix well.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and maintain a **gentle simmer**.
  6. **Stir continuously for 25-30 minutes** until the milk has been nearly completely absorbed and evaporated by the carrots (This is the most critical step; patience and constant stirring are required to prevent the bottom from scorching).
  7. When there is almost no liquid left in the pot, add 80g of sugar and mix well.
  8. The mixture will release water again after adding sugar; continue stir-frying over medium-low heat for **5-8 minutes** until the water evaporates again.
  9. Add the remaining 20g of ghee and 3g of cardamom powder, and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
  10. In another small pot, fry cashews, sliced almonds, and raisins separately in a small amount of ghee until they turn **golden brown** (about 1 minute). Note that the raisins will puff up.
  11. Stir half of the fried nuts and raisins into the carrot sweet rice cake.
  12. Serve in a serving dish and sprinkle the remaining nuts and raisins on top as a garnish.

Notes

Gajar Halwa is a famous winter dessert in Indian households. The slow-simmered combination of grated carrots and milk, infused with ghee and nuts, creates a dense, sweet texture with a golden-red color. Rich in beta-carotene, calcium, and healthy fats, it is warming and nourishing. The process is simple but requires some patience for beginners; it is ready in approximately 45 minutes.

Estimated Difficulty: ★★☆
Estimated Calories: 374 kcal

Calculation:
Determine how many servings you plan to make before you start. One serving is exactly enough for 3-4 people.

Per serving:

- Carrots: 500g (approx. 5-6 medium-sized carrots)
- Whole milk: 500ml
- Sugar: 80g (can be adjusted to 60g-100g based on personal preference)
- Ghee: 40g
- Cardamom powder: 3g
- Cashews: 15g
- Almonds: 15g
- Raisins: 15g

- Carrot sweet rice cake can be eaten hot or cold; both have distinct flavors.
- Red carrots produce a better color than orange carrots.
- For a richer texture, you can substitute part of the milk with heavy cream.
- Seal and refrigerate to store for 4-5 days. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute before serving.
- This dessert is made in almost every Indian home and is a must-have during Diwali and weddings.

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