What is khoya and can I substitute it?
Khoya (also called mawa) is milk reduced to solid form. Find it frozen at Indian grocery stores. Substitute with 3 tbsp full-fat milk powder mixed with 2 tbsp whole milk to a paste.
Indian · dessert
Gajar Halwa: Slow-Cooked Carrot Pudding With Khoya
#indian#vegetarian#dessert#carrot#halwa
80m
Total time
6
Servings
380
kcal
medium
Difficulty
May 20, 2026
INGREDIENTS.
6
Produce
- 800 g carrots, peeled and finely grated (ideally red winter carrots)
Dairy
- 600 ml whole milk
- 60 g ghee
- 100 g khoya (mawa)
Pantry
- 100 g sugar
- 25 g blanched almonds, slivered
- 20 g pistachios, slivered
- 20 g raisins
Spice
- 6 pods green cardamom seeds (from 6 pods), ground
THE METHOD.
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FAQ · Things people ask
About this recipe.
Can I use orange carrots?
Yes. The flavour is slightly less sweet and the colour less vibrant, but the technique is identical. Grate them finely so they cook at the same rate.
How long does gajar halwa keep?
5 days in the fridge, covered. It firms up when cold — warm through in a pan with a tablespoon of milk before serving.
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