Indian-Style Spiced Carrot Bars (Gajar Ka Halwa) Recipe

By
Carrie Vasios Mullins
Carrie Vasios Mullins is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Carrie Vasios Mullins
Carrie Vasios Mullins is the former national editor at Serious Eats, with a focus on all things sweet.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated Apr. 02, 2020
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Carrie Vasios

This Indian sweet is made by cooking down grated carrots with milk, then slowly stir-frying them in oil. It's usually eaten garnished with chopped almonds, and raisins and clotted cream are also a nice accompaniment.

Recipe Details

Indian-Style Spiced Carrot Bars (Gajar Ka Halwa) Recipe

Active 70 mins
Total 70 mins
Serves 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil, divided

  • 1/4 cup almonds (optional)

  • 4 pounds carrots, peeled, then grated through the largest holes of a box grater

  • 8 cups whole milk

  • 4 green cardamom pods

  • 6 tablespoons sugar

  • Sliced almonds, clotted cream, fried raisins, for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. If using almonds (not just for garnish), heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1/4 cup almonds and cook, stirring and tossing frequently, until lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Set aside.

  2. Combine grated carrots, milk, and cardamom pods in a large, heavy bottomed pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until all milk has evaporated, about 40 minutes.

  3. When liquid has evaporated, add oil. Fry carrot mixture in oil, stirring constantly, until darkened to dark orange/brown in color, about 30 minutes. Add sugar and fried almonds if using. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Take off heat and let come to room temperature. Spread in a 8 x 8 -inch square pan or other pan of your choice, and cut into squares.

  4. If not eating right away, store, covered, in refrigerator and bring back to room temperature before serving.

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
551 Calories
42g Fat
36g Carbs
9g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 551
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g 54%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Sodium 212mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 7mg 33%
Calcium 331mg 25%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 756mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)