Gajar Halwa (Instant Pot) – Indian Carrot Fudge Pudding

The boy child or maybe I should say teen child, woke up this morning wanting Gajar Halwa. He sadly informed me, but it takes 3 to 4 hours. Indeed, a traditional recipe like my stove top version here does indeed take a good few hour. It is mostly about the slow process of thickening the milk which gives this dessert its signature rich taste. Well, that and some clarified butter. Ghee never hurt anyone, taste wise anyway.

My Instant Pot Gajar Halwa Story

Well, I explained to him, when you don’t have 3 to 4 hours, you have the instant pot. In lieu of the thick milk solids or khoya, I added powdered milk. The result was quite magical. The ghee gets added to the end, and helps in caramelizing this dessert. Yay! Gajar Halwa in about 25 minutes! This recipe is one of my husband’s favorite treats, so getting a fuss free version helps! We have also put together our little video. That is my son’s new thing. I am indeed blessed at how much he supports my efforts. Probably, the only one not fed up of my food antics.

More about this Dessert

Gajar Halwa like most Indian desserts is about a few key ingredients and pure comfort. In these confusing times, it is recipes like this that give you the comfort of that you sometimes need. Whatever has gone wrong, with our rules, borders and everything? Why can we not agree about anything?

Why must children who do not every know what border crossing is about, suffer.

Yes, and how many deaths will it take ’til he knows. That too many people have died?

Let us make no mistake about the fact, that there are children dying in those detention camp. There are children growing up without the support that they need to make them functional people for today’s society.

Back to the Gajar Halwa, the last two or three minutes of sauteing is important and you will need to do some active stirring. Other than that, there is nothing much to do. Just as a note, unlike some of my other recipes this one does make a fairly large batch. This does however freeze well. So, feel free to save for that rainy day.

And if you are in the market for a vegan gajar halwa, check this one out.

If you like this recipe and want more ideas, do join my Indian Instant Pot Facebook group and Legume Love Group. Of course Instant Indian my new Indian Instant Pot Cookbook is ready for order, joining its siblings The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles and Spices and Seasons.

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