Carrot halwa in pressure cooker (gajar ka halwa) is an easy and rich North Indian dessert made with grated carrots, milk, sugar and ghee. Using a pressure cooker cuts down the cooking time, making this festive sweet ready in just 20 minutes.
Gajar halwa / Carrot halwa using Delhi carrot was in my try list for long time. Recently I bought some fresh Delhi carrots in Reliance. I thought of trying carrot halwa and red carrot pickle with it. To begin with, I tried this easy carrot halwa recipe without khoya and condensed milk in pressure cooker for a surprise guest at home yesterday. I finished the preparation quickly under 20 minutes. It came out really well with a bright red color. We loved it very much. I served the same for Valentine’s day treat as well.
Friends, do try this yummy carrot halwa using Delhi carrot easily in a pressure cooker. Don’t forget to share your feedback with me. For variations, you can use Ooty carrot instead of Delhi carrot. Cook the grated carrot in an open kadai, add condensed milk instead of sugar, milk and try it.
Do check out my beetroot halwa recipe in a pressure cooker. Check out my other 18 halwa varieties too!
Quick Notes for US & Abroad Kitchens
- Carrot Variety: In the US, red Delhi carrots are seasonally available during winter at Indian grocery stores like Patel Brothers or Subzi Mandi. If red carrots are unavailable, regular American orange carrots (available at Costco, Trader Joe’s or local supermarkets) work great and produce a vibrant, sweet halwa.
- Grating Tip: Use the medium-to-large shredding disc on a food processor (such as Cuisinart) to grate 2 to 3 cups of carrots in seconds, ensuring uniform texture and even cooking.
- Pressure Cooking: For Instant Pot users, sauté grated carrots in ghee on ‘Sauté Normal’ mode for 3 to 4 minutes, add milk and a pinch of salt, then pressure cook on ‘Pressure Cook / Manual High’ for 2 minutes with a quick pressure release (QPR) to retain bright color without scorching.
- Milk & Ghee: Whole milk (whole vitamin D milk) gives the best creaminess without adding khoya or mawa. Good quality ghee brands like Nanak, Verka or homemade ghee bring authentic festive aroma.
- Sugar & Consistency: Standard US granulated sugar dissolves quickly. Do not over-reduce the halwa after adding sugar; leave it slightly moist as it thickens naturally as it cools.
Carrot Halwa Recipe in Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 cups Grated carrots (approx. 200 g / 7 oz) (Delhi carrots or regular carrots)
- ¾ cup Sugar (approx. 150 g / 5.3 oz) (use 1/2 cup for mild sweetness)
- ½ cup Boiled milk (approx. 120 ml / 4 fl oz)
- 2 to 3 tbsp Ghee (approx. 30 to 45 ml / 1 to 1.5 fl oz)
- ½ tsp Cardamom powder
- pinch Salt
- 8 to 10 Cashew nuts split
Instructions
- Wash and peel the outer skin of Delhi carrots. Grate using a big-holed grater or food processor shredding disc. Measure 2 cups and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a pressure cooker. Sauté the grated carrots on medium flame for 5 to 7 minutes until the raw smell disappears and the color turns slightly pale. Add boiled milk (at room temperature) and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
- Close the pressure cooker lid with the weight valve. Cook on high flame for 2 to 3 whistles. Switch off and let the pressure release naturally. Open the cooker; the carrots will be soft with a little milk remaining at the bottom.
- Add sugar, cardamom powder and 1 teaspoon of ghee to prevent sticking. Mix well. The mixture will turn liquid after adding sugar. Stir on medium flame until the mixture thickens and starts leaving the sides of the cooker.
- Do not overcook after adding sugar to prevent the halwa from becoming chewy or hard. Turn off the stove while the halwa is still glossy and slightly moist, as it firms up as it cools.
- Roast cashews in the remaining ghee until golden. Pour over the halwa, mix well and serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Adjust the quantity of sugar according to your taste buds.
- You can replace sugar and milk with condensed milk. In that case, cook carrots with a little water before adding condensed milk.
- Do not over-cook the halwa after adding sugar, as it may become chewy and hard upon cooling.
- Serve this easy carrot halwa warm on its own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Sharing is caring
Try this easy, yummy Carrot halwa in a pressure cooker and enjoy! I served halwa and dry fruits mixture for my guest.
