A rich, slow-cooked classic made easy in a pressure cooker — this quick gajar halwa delivers authentic flavor and perfect texture without hours of stirring.
Prep. : 15 minutes (mostly grating carrots)
Cook. : 25 minutes
Total Time :
40 minutes
Cuisine : Indian
Servings : 4–6 people
750g Red carrots, peeled and grated
500ml Full-cream milk
100g Sugar (adjust to taste)
5g Cardamom (elaichi) powder
1 cup Ghee (clarified butter)
Silver vark (edible silver leaf)
Blanched pistachios, thinly sliced
Nuts chikki (jaggery brittle), crushed
Mixed nuts (almonds, cashews), chopped
Heat ghee in a pressure cooker over medium heat.
Add the freshly grated carrots and sauté for 4–5 minutes. This step helps evaporate excess moisture and enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots.
Pour in the milk and stir well to combine.
Secure the lid and cook for 2 whistles on medium heat.
Allow the pressure to release naturally before opening the lid.
Add the remaining ghee to the mixture and cook on medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring continuously, until the halwa thickens and the ghee starts releasing from the sides.
Add sugar and cardamom powder.
Continue cooking for 4–5 minutes until the sugar melts completely and the halwa develops a glossy, rich texture.
Place a round ring cutter at the center of your serving plate
Press a layer of warm gajar halwa evenly into the base
Add a layer of crushed nuts chikki in the center
Top with another layer of halwa and smooth the surface
Carefully lift the ring cutter
Garnish with silver vark, sliced pistachios, and additional crushed chikki.
Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
Avoid opening the pressure cooker immediately after cooking
Cook until milk fully reduces into soft grains
Ghee separation is key to rich, fudgy halwa
This method significantly improves shelf life and texture
Traditionally, gajar halwa is a slow-cooked delicacy that requires hours of stirring, but this pressure cooker gajar halwa recipe preserves the authentic taste in a fraction of the time.
Using vibrant red carrots, creamy milk, and aromatic ghee, this easy Indian dessert is rich, comforting, and deeply satisfying.
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