Gajar Halva (Carrot Pudding - an Indian Dessert)

Submitted by Carla C.

"This is my favorite dessert to make when cooking Indian food. The sweet & creamy taste is a delicious end to a hot & spicy meal. I posted this recipe in 2004 and can't believe that here it is 2007 and no one has yet ventured trying it! Go Ahead, it's really delicious!!! :)"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 6 medium carrots, shredded
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup golden raisin
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted pistachios or 1/4 cup slivered almonds

directions

1. Heat carrots and half-and-half to boiling in saucepan; reduce heat.
2. Simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until all the half & half is absorbed, about 45 minutes.
3. Stir in the brown sugar, raisins, butter, cardamom and salt.
4. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until all of the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is of your desired consistency, (pudding-like) about 15 minutes.
5. Garnish with pistachios or slivered almonds.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

Reviews

[eboneham]

This recipe had such good reviews that I thought to try it since I had loads of carrots in my fridge. So delicious!!! I used less butter than the recipe and added a bit of cinnamon at the end. It has to be the best carrot halwa I have ever had! In fact I am making it right now for a potluck with my friends. Thanks for posting this awesome dessert!!

 

[SuzTheQ]

Made this with dinner tonight and it was yummy! I didn't realize I didn't have the raisins until I needed them, so I had to leave them out. I will definitely be making this again, and won't forget to get the raisins! Also, I used fat free half and half and it was great. Thanks for a wonderful Indian dessert!

 

[brian48195]

I made this for our parish priest who’s from India. I made it exactly as written and it came out great. He loved it and liked that it wasn’t too sweet. Thanks for posting!

 

[Jonathan Melendez]

I've never tried a recipe like this before and so I was happy to make it. It was delicious! It really brought out the natural sweetness of the carrots. Perfect with the chopped pistachios at the end.

 

[ohyoucook]

This is almost like the dessert served in my local Indian restaurant. Very easy to make. I substituted evaporated milk for the half-and-half. It took less time for me than the recipe indicates -- only 30 minutes to absorb the evaporated milk, then only another 10 minutes until it was ready to serve. Yum!