Degchi
Carrot Sweet (Halwa)
Serves 6 · Total 75 min · Prep 15 min · Cook 60 min
Grated red winter carrots slow-cooked in milk until it reduces away, then finished with clarified butter, sugar and cardamom until rich and glossy. A beloved cold-weather dessert across Pakistan, traditionally made from the sweet, deep-red carrots that appear in winter markets.
Quick answer: 75 min in total · serves 6 · main ingredients: Carrot, Milk, Sugar, Clarified butter · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 1 kg 2.2 lb Carrot, peeled and finely grated
- 1 l 4 cup Milk
- 150 g 0.75 cup Sugar
- 100 g 0.4 cup Clarified butter
- 4 pc 4 pc Cardamom, crushed
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp Dry fruits, chopped, for garnish (Optional)
Steps
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- Peel and finely grate the carrots.
- Put the grated carrot and milk in a wide, heavy pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.⏱ Bringing to a boil · 5 min
- Lower the heat and simmer, stirring often, until the milk reduces and is mostly absorbed.⏱ Reducing milk · 35 min
- Add the clarified butter and cook, stirring, for a few minutes until fully combined.⏱ Adding ghee · 4 min
- Add the sugar and continue cooking, stirring, until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.⏱ Cooking the sweet · 11 min
- Stir in the crushed cardamom and cook for another minute.⏱ Adding cardamom · 1 min
- Garnish with chopped nuts and dry fruits, and serve warm.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Carrot Sweet (Halwa) take?
75 minutes in total: about 15 minutes of prep and 60 minutes of cooking.
Is Carrot Sweet (Halwa) hard to make?
Degchi rates it medium. The method has 7 steps, and 5 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Carrot Sweet (Halwa) serve?
This recipe serves 6. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Carrot Sweet (Halwa) halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Carrot Sweet (Halwa)?
Spice-box items: cardamom. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: carrot, milk, clarified butter. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: sugar.
Any tips for making Carrot Sweet (Halwa)?
Use a wide, heavy-bottomed pot so the milk reduces faster and evenly without scorching. Deep-red winter carrots give a sweeter, richer halwa than the pale summer variety.
Notes and questions
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