Gajar ka Halwa | Gajrela Cups Served with Kulfi

“All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.” -Dalai Lama

2024 update: As a result of my passion of cooking + this blog I’ve tweaked this recipe several times until getting it just right. While this recipe is wonderful you can find an updated recipe here.

Gajar ka Halwa | Gajrela Cups served with Kulfi| Gajar Ka Halwa, also known as Gajrela is a popular dessert in Northern India during the winter and spring months when dark red carrots are in season. Carrots (known as ‘gajar’ in Hindi) are slow cooked with milk until they reduce to a tender fudge like consistency. Halwa is the Hindi term for pudding and in India several types of Halwas are made with a variety of vegetables, depending on what’s in season. Since traditional dark red carrots (which are sweeter then regular carrots) are available only during the winter and spring months, Gajar ka Halwa is usually made then. The dessert can also be made with regular carrots which are available in the market year round. Gajar ka Halwa is often made during festival season such as Diwali, Holi and Vaisakhi.

During the week of Diwali there are communal meals, get togethers, fun and fire works. It’s a time to enjoy family and traditional homemade foods. Street vendors light up their shops with the latest bargins, diyas (traditional Indian candles) of all shapes and sizes are on display and mithai-wale (dessert shops) fill gift boxes with colorful confections. The air is filled with celebration while kitchens are taken over by the aroma of authentic recipes. No matter where you celebrate, the festival of Diwali always includes traditional fare, which is often followed by beautiful desserts. Homemade Gajar ka Halwa is one of those popular Diwali desserts. It’s often served warm with a scoop of ice cream or Malai Kulfi. I personally love piping hot Gajar ka Halwa with vanilla ice cream. This recipe is a great way to incorporate both ingredients while serving it in a sweet little cups.

Notes:

-If you are making the Gajrela into cups a thicker consistency is desired as it will mould better to the muffin pan.

-Chilling the Gajrela after you have pressed it into the moulds will help form the cups, if you want to serve it hot you can always warm it in the Microwave right before serving after the cups have been formed and removed from the muffin pan.

Gajar ka Halwa | Gajrela

 

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Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

55 mins

Total time

1 hour 10 mins

 

Gajar ka Halwa, also known as Gajrela is a popular North Indian dessert. It's made by slow cooking carrots with milk and sugar, resulting in a sweet carrot pudding.

Author: Nisha Vedi Pawar

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: Indian Food

Serves: 2 cups

Ingredients

• 6 large carrots, grated
• ½ cup ghee or butter
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 3-4 saffron strands
• 3 tablespoon cashews, chopped
• 2 tablespoon almonds, chopped
• 1 teaspoon pistachios, chopped

Method

1. Melt the ghee/butter in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat, add cashews, almonds and pistachios. Lightly toast the nuts and add the grated carrots. Increase to high heat, add the saffron and milk, mix and let boil. Reduce heat to medium again and cook for 30 minutes, mixing occasionally, until the carrots become soft and the mixture thickens. Mix in sugar, heavy cream and cook for 20-25 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat, add cardamom powder, mix and let cool.
2. Line muffin pan with plastic stretch wrap, take 2 tablespoons of Halwa, press down into muffin mold, firmly around the sides and bottom forming a cup. Refrigerate for an hour until firm.
3. When ready to serve remove from mold, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, garnish with chopped pistachios and serve.

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Enjoy