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    Home » Festival » Afghani Carrot Halwa

    Afghani Halwa with Ricotta Cheese | Step by Step Recipe

    Published: Oct 31, 2022 by Pavani · 11 Comments

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    Afghani carrot halwa is creamy, decadent and delicious. This recipe uses ricotta cheese and dry milk powder along with freshly grated carrot. Ground cardamom adds lots of flavor.

    A perfect sweet treat to make with juicy winter carrots. Serve either warm or chilled and enjoy this amazing Afghan dessert.

    White oval bowl with Afghani carrot halwa topped with almond slices

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    Table of contents

    • About the Recipe
    • Why I love this Afghan gajar ka halva recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
      • Prep
      • Make Carrot halwa
    • Expert Tips
      • Serving Suggestions
    • You might also like
    • Recipe Card

    About the Recipe

    Gajar ka halwa (aka carrot halwa) is a very popular Indian dessert. Today I have an Afghani version that is very similar to it but uses slightly different ingredients.

    This recipe is adapted from 'The New Middle Eastern Vegetarian' cookbook by Sally Butcher. This Afghan halwa resembles Indian gajar ka halva. It is made with a combination of ricotta cheese and dry milk powder and is very rich and decadent.

    Ricotta cheese is a great substitute for khoya/ mawa (milk solids) in this dessert. It is readily available in grocery stores here and works beautifully. I love using it in Indian desserts like this malai coconut ladoo or this chocolate peda recipe.

    All in all, an easy to make dessert that is sure to wow everyone with its taste and texture. Don't forget to check the 'Expert Tips' section for some yummy serving ideas.

    hand holding spoon with carrot halva

    Why I love this Afghan gajar ka halva recipe

    • easy to make
    • ingredients are readily available in grocery stores
    • very creamy and decadent
    • perfect to make ahead of time
    • can be served in several ways - check 'Expert Tips' section for ideas

    Ingredients

    For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here are the list of ingredients you need to make this Afghani carrot halwa recipe:

    • carrots - choose fresh, juicy carrots. If you can get your hands on gajar, red carrot, usually in winter, then use them.
    • ricotta cheese - preferably whole milk, but part skim will work too.
    • dry milk powder
    • granulated sugar
    • ground cardamom
    • dry fruit - almonds, cashews, pistachios, raisins
    Ingredients needed, details in recipe card.

    Instructions

    For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here is how to make gajar halwa using milk powder and ricotta cheese:

    Prep

    In a small bowl, combine raisins and water. Set aside until ready to use.

    Grate the peeled carrots using the small holes of a grater. You can also grind the peeled and chopped carrots along with milk into a smooth paste and use in the recipe.

    Side by side photos of carrots and finely grated carrots

    Make Carrot halwa

    Melt ghee/ unsalted butter in a heavy bottomed pan on medium-low heat. Add the grated carrot and ground cardamom. Cook, stirring occasionally. until carrot is tender and does not smell raw anymore.

    Step by step photos showing cooking of carrots in melted butter

    While the carrots are cooking, in a medium size bowl combine ricotta cheese and powdered milk. Mix well into a smooth mixture without any lumps.

    Combining ricotta cheese and dry milk powder in a steel bowl

    Add sugar to the carrots and cook till dissolved. Stir in the the ricotta mixture and mix well. Cook gently until the mixture is thick and creamy, about 5~7 minutes.

    Step by step photos showing the addition of sugar and ricotta cheese mixture

    Drain the raisins and add them to the carrot halwa along with the other nuts. Mix well. At this stage, Afghani carrot halwa will have a soft consistency and can be served in a bowl.

    Soaked and drained raisins and sliced almonds being added

    If you want to make into squares/ diamonds, then cook till the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan. Then pour the mixture into a greased 9″ square pan and let chill to set. Cut into pieces to petit four or burfi.

    White oval bowl with Afghani carrot halwa topped with almond slices

    Expert Tips

    • Traditionally carrots are finely grated for this recipe. But you make carrot halwa without grating as well. Just blend the carrots with some milk into a smooth mixture and use.
    • I prefer whole milk ricotta cheese for the best texture. But part skim will work great too.
    • You can use either full fat or skim dry milk powder.
    • Adjust the quantity of sugar based on the sweetness of the carrots used.
    • You can skip the nuts and raisins.
    • Leftover halwa keeps well in an airtight container for up to 1 week. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

    Serving Suggestions

    Here are a few serving Ideas for Afghani carrot halwa:

    • Serve in bowls with a spoon either warm, chilled or at room temperature.
    • Cook halva until it starts to leaves the sides of the pan. Place on a greased plate and chill it until set. Then cut them into squares or diamonds to make terrific and unusual petit fours or burfi.
    • Make these amazing no bake carrot halwa cheesecakes.
    • Or try this delicious carrot halwa ice cream.
    • Use as a tart filling by piling it into a pie crust. Serve with some crème fraiche on the side.

    You might also like

    Here are a few more decadent desserts that you might like:

    • Parsi Falooda
    • Sweet Noodle Pudding | Semya Custard pudding
    • Spoon with jamun with a jar of rabri.
      Gulab Jamun with Rabri
    • Easy Mango Kulfi Recipe with Step by Step Instructions
    Afghani Carrot Halwa

    I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don't forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.

    Recipe Card

    White oval bowl with gajar halwa

    Afghani Carrot Halwa

    Creamy, decadent and delicious Afghani carrot halwa made with ricotta cheese and dry milk powder. Recipe is easy to make and is perfect dessert for any occasion.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 45 minutes mins
    Total Time: 1 hour hr
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Afghan
    Servings: 12 servings

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoons Raisins
    • ¼ cup Water
    • 8~10 Medium Carrots, peeled
    • ¼ cup Unsalted Butter or ghee, divided
    • ¼ teaspoon Ground Cardamom
    • 1½ cups Ricotta Cheese
    • 1~1½ cups Sugar*
    • 1 cup Powdered Milk
    • ¼ cup Nuts, chopped (almonds, pistachios, cashews etc)
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    Prep:

    • In a small bowl, combine raisins and water. Set aside until ready to use.
      3 tablespoons Raisins, ¼ cup Water
    • Grate the peeled carrots using the small holes of a grater. You should have about 6 cups of grated carrot.
      You can also grind the peeled and chopped carrots along with ¼~½ cup of milk into a smooth paste and use in the recipe.
      8~10 Medium Carrots, peeled

    Make Afghan Carrot Halwa:

    • Melt ghee/ unsalted butter in a heavy bottomed pan on medium-low heat. Add the grated carrot and ground cardamom. Cook, stirring occasionally. until carrot is tender and does not smell raw anymore, about 15~20 minutes.
      ¼ cup Unsalted Butter or ghee, divided, ¼ teaspoon Ground Cardamom
    • While the carrots are cooking, in a medium size bowl combine ricotta cheese and powdered milk. Mix well into a smooth mixture without any lumps.
      1½ cups Ricotta Cheese, 1 cup Powdered Milk
    • Add sugar to the carrots and cook till dissolved.
      Stir in the the ricotta mixture and mix well. Cook gently until the mixture is thick and creamy, about 5~7 minutes.
      1~1½ cups Sugar*
    • Drain the raisins and add to the pan along with the other nuts. Mix well. At this stage, halva will have a soft consistency and can be served in a bowl.
      ¼ cup Nuts, chopped (almonds, pistachios, cashews etc)
    • If you want to make into squares/ diamonds, then cook till the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan, about 10~15 minutes more. Then pour the mixture into a greased 9″ square pan and let chill to set, about 2~3 hours. Cut into pieces to petit four or burfi.

    Video

    Notes

    • Traditionally carrots are finely grated for this recipe. But you make carrot halwa without grating as well. Just blend the peeled and chopped carrots with some milk into a smooth mixture and use.
    • I prefer whole milk ricotta cheese for the best texture. But part skim will work great too.
    • You can use either full fat or skim dry milk powder.
    • Adjust the quantity of sugar based on the sweetness of the carrots used.
    • You can skip the nuts and raisins.
    • Leftover halwa keeps well in an airtight container for up to 1 week. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 7148IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarita

      February 26, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      Mouth watering after I see this pic.Afgani halwa is very yummy.

      Reply
    2. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

      February 26, 2015 at 7:21 pm

      I have cooked quite a few recipes from the cook book that you have mentioned. I love those colorful carrots and blending them sounds easy. I have made something similar to this from an Turkish cook book and it had powdered coconut in it as well. Looks so delicious 🙂

      Reply
    3. Sathya Priya

      February 28, 2015 at 1:37 pm

      Colorful carrots and loved the burfi outcome along with cheese.I too want to try carrot halwa with some cheese

      Reply
    4. Priya Suresh

      March 01, 2015 at 11:12 am

      Wow, those colourful carrots looks super catchy, halwa looks absolutely decadent.

      Reply
    5. Srividhya Gopalakrishnan

      March 02, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      Bookmarking this recipe.. with cheese and milk powder sounds yumm

      Reply
    6. vaishali sabnani

      March 03, 2015 at 4:43 am

      I love these colorful carrots, haven't seen yello ones, so definitely a visual treat. The halwa sounds yum , would love to try it while the carrots are still in bloom.

      Reply
    7. Srivalli

      March 03, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Wow never actually seen the coloured carrots..very nice one pavani..the halwa looks heavenly..

      Reply
    8. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      March 05, 2015 at 5:12 am

      love the texture of this halva and I too like to buy the rainbow carrots

      Reply
    9. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      March 05, 2015 at 5:12 am

      love the texture of this halva and I too like to buy the rainbow carrots

      Reply
    10. sneha datar

      March 11, 2015 at 2:28 pm

      The colored carrots look great and this halwa yummy.

      Reply
    11. Mayuri Patel

      August 27, 2020 at 8:22 am

      5 stars
      This is a different way to make carrot halwa with ricotta cheese and adding the nuts, raisins and milk powder, makes it sound so delicious. Like the whole bit about grinding the carrot with milk instead of grating them.

      Reply

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