Bread halwa (bread ka halwa) is a popular South Indian sweet made with bread slices, milk, ghee, sugar and roasted nuts. Rich, glossy and quick to prepare, this delicious dessert is perfect for festive occasions and celebrations.
Bread halwa came to my mind when I saw few leftover bread slices in my kitchen. I am making this easy halwa recipe for the second time. First time I tried bread halwa without milk by adding sugar syrup and ghee. It was good in taste but not so rich. Then I watched few bread halwa video recipes where they added khoya or condensed milk instead of milk. I felt that If I had added Khova/mawa, the taste would have been much better. But this time I prepared bread halwa with milk and followed a different procedure as Khoya is not easily available in my place. I will make a post adding khoya soon.
For this recipe, I followed Tarla Dalal and used less milk & ghee when compared to other bread halwa recipes on net. It came out really well and satisfied my expectancy. Its process and making is so easy. I am sure its a rich, quick, Indian style dessert recipe made with easily available ingredients to serve your surprise guests and a good choice to use leftover dried bread slices. Kids would love it for sure. You should eat it hot or warm to enjoy its real taste.
If you want to make a super rich and tasty bread halwa, you can deep fry the bread pieces in ghee just like double ka meetha or add ground cashew+ badam paste to the halwa. For variations, you can try this halwa with rusk and bread crumbs too. But adjust the quantity of milk and sugar. Ok, Lets see how to make bread halwa recipe with step by step images and a video. Check out my Shahi tukda recipe – Low calorie version!
Quick Notes for US & Abroad Kitchens
- Bread Variety: Regular American white sandwich bread (such as Sara Lee, Nature’s Own or store brand white bread) or brioche bread works well. Slightly dry or day-old bread slices grind into coarse crumbs much better than very fresh, soft bread.
- Powdering Bread: Pulse bread slices in a standard food processor or blender for 15 to 20 seconds. If the bread is too soft, microwave the slices for 30 to 45 seconds to remove excess moisture before grinding.
- Stovetop Heat Management: Electric and ceramic cooktops retain heat. Toast the bread crumbs on low heat (setting 2 or 3) with ghee so they become fragrant and lightly golden without burning.
- Milk & Ghee: Whole milk gives the ideal creamy consistency. Good quality ghee brands like Nanak, Verka or homemade clarified butter provide authentic aroma.
- Serving: Bread halwa is best enjoyed warm. Reheat portions in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds before serving, or pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Bread Halwa Recipe (Bread Ka Halwa)
Ingredients
- 6 slices Milk bread slices (approx. 180 g / 6.3 oz) (day-old bread works best)
- 4 tbsp Sugar (approx. 50 g / 1.75 oz)
- ½ cup Milk (approx. 120 ml / 4 fl oz)
- ¼ cup Melted ghee (approx. 60 ml / 2 fl oz)
- 15 to 20 g Cashews and almonds (fistful, chopped)
- ¼ tsp Cardamom powder
Instructions
- Take 6 slices of milk bread (day-old bread works best) and tear them roughly into small pieces. Grind to coarse crumbs in a mixer or food processor and set aside. (If the bread is too soft and fresh, microwave for 45 seconds before grinding).
- Heat 1/4 cup of ghee in a kadai. Roast sliced cashews and almonds on low flame until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
- In the remaining ghee in the kadai, add the bread crumbs. Sauté on low flame for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and lightly toasted.
- Add 1/2 cup of milk and 4 tablespoons of sugar. Mix well as the sugar dissolves and the bread absorbs the milk. Cover with a lid and cook on low flame for 2 minutes.
- Open the lid, stir well and add cardamom powder and roasted nuts. Continue stirring on medium flame until the halwa turns glossy, thick and starts leaving traces of ghee around the sides.
- The halwa will be smooth and non-sticky to the touch. Transfer to a serving bowl or press into a lightly greased mould and invert onto a plate. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- No need to remove the crust or sides of the bread; keeping the edges gives the halwa its appealing rich brown color.
- Adjust sugar according to taste.
- Do not reduce the quantity of ghee, as it is essential for flavor and non-sticky texture.
- For added richness, you can blend soaked cashews and almonds into a fine paste and add it along with milk and sugar.
- Serve this easy bread halwa hot or warm for the best taste.
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No need to remove the sides of bread. The color of this halwa looks brown as I din’t remove the sides. Do try this easy, yummy bread halwa and enjoy!
Thank you :)
I tried this recipe at once .tasted delicious .never thought bread halwa ll be so easy to make thanks for the post :)
Happy to know it. Thank you so much Priya :)
Hi Akka.. It looks very appealing :) Can we make this using brown bread. I have a whole pack of brown bread lying in my refrigerator.. Finding ways to finish it..
Hi, you can try it. But add more sugar, milk and ghee.
Can i use a 10 day old milk bread
Im gona try this now…
Can i use 10 day old milk bread
I tried its superrrrbb
Hi Sunitha,Sorry for the late reply. It was powercut here. So I just saw your query. Good you have tried and left the feedback as well. Glad it came out well. Thank you :)