By Aditi Saraswat
November 21, 2025
Gajar ka halwa is a loved Indian winter dessert prepared with slow-cooked carrots cooked in milk, ghee, and nuts. It is a classic sweet dish that is ideal for festivals, family gatherings, or simply when you want to have a dessert that soothes you from within.
1 kg red carrots, peeled and grated 1 litre of full-fat milk 4–5 tbsp ghee 3/4–1 cup sugar (as per the taste) 1/4 cup khoya/mawa (optional) 1/4 cup chopped mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios) 8–10 strands saffron (optional) 1/2 tsp green cardamom powder
In a heavy kadhai, add grated carrots and 1 litre of milk. Cook it on medium flame, till carrots turn soft and the milk reduces.
Keep mixing in between to stop it from sticking. Cook until most of the milk is absorbed and the mixture gets thick.
Add 4 to 5 tablespoons of ghee and saute the carrot mixture, while stirring constantly, until it begins to release aroma.
Mix in 3/4–1 cup sugar. Cook until the sugar dissolves fully and the halwa begins to thicken, leaving the sides of the pan.
Add the crumbled khoya, cardamom powder and saffron. Mix well and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes.
Garnish with chopped nuts and serve gajar ka halwa warm gajar ka halwa.