Dessert · Indian · Late-Night ·

Spiced Indian Gajar Halwa with Cardamom and Cashew Nut

Name: Spiced Indian Gajar Halwa with Cardamom and Cashew Nut
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 1 kg carrots, peeled and grated; 2 cups full-fat milk; 1 cup sugar, adjust to taste; 3-4 green cardamom pods, crushed; 1/2 cup ghee; 1/2 cup cashew nuts, chopped; 1/4 cup raisins; 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios; 1 teaspoon saffron strands, soaked in warm milk

Gajar Halwa is a classic Indian dessert known for its rich and sweet flavors, made from grated carrots simmered in milk and ghee, perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth.

4(223 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 16, 2025

Spiced Indian Gajar Halwa with Cardamom and Cashew Nut — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Gajar Halwa

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 498 kcal
Protein: 6.6 g
Carbs: 62.8 g
Fat: 26.2 g
Fiber: 5.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2989 kcal
Protein: 39.8 g
Carbs: 376.5 g
Fat: 157.3 g
Fiber: 32.8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 kg carrots peeled and grated	410	9.5	95	1	28
2 cups full-fat milk	300	16	24	16	0
1 cup sugar adjust to taste	774	0	199	0	0
3-4 green cardamom pods crushed	9	0.3	2	0.2	0.6
1/2 cup ghee	900	0	0	100	0
1/2 cup cashew nuts chopped	393	10	22	32	2
1/4 cup raisins	109	1	29	0	1
2 tablespoons chopped pistachios	92	3	5	8	1
1 teaspoon saffron strands soaked in warm milk	2	0	0.5	0.1	0.2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Prepping the Carrots

1
Peel and grate carrots
Peel and grate the carrots using a medium grater for an ideal texture.
2
Remove excess moisture
Ensure the grated carrots are free of excess moisture by patting with a paper towel.
3
Set aside carrots
Set aside for further use.

Preparing the Garnishes

1
Chop pistachios
Chop the pistachios finely for garnish.
2
Soak saffron
Soak the saffron strands in 2 tablespoons of warm milk to release their color.
3
Set aside garnishes
Set aside the garnishes for later.

How to Make Spiced Indian Gajar Halwa with Cardamom and Cashew Nut

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Simmering
Add the grated carrots and milk to a heavy-bottomed pan. Simmer on medium heat until the milk is mostly absorbed.
2
Flavoring
Stir in the ghee, sugar, cardamom, cashews, and raisins. Cook until the mixture thickens and the ghee starts separating from the halwa.
3
Finishing
Once thickened to your liking, remove from heat and prepare to serve hot.