Winter brings with it a wide range of comforting ingredients that can help soothe your body and keep you warm. One of the seasonal ingredients that is popular in almost every Indian household is carrots. The vitamin and mineral-rich root vegetable is not only known for its fibre content but also for its naturally sweet taste.
With the crunch and sweetness carrots can bring to any dish, they are also an impeccable ingredient to make warm desserts. Be it the traditional bowl of Gajar Ka Halwa or a soft carrot cake made with frosting; there are many carrot desserts that you can make this winter season. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your aprons and cook the best carrot desserts.
Gajar Ka Halwa
Gajar ka halwa is a winter classic and one of the most beloved desserts made with carrots. Originating from Punjab, gajar ka halwa, often known as gajrela is a slow-cooked but easy-to-make traditional dessert. To make it at home, you can grate some fresh carrots and let them simmer in milk. Once tender, you can add sugar and ghee. After the gajar ka halwa is aromatic, you can garnish it with dry fruits and serve a warm bowl.
Carrot And Date Rolls
For people who are looking for a guilt-free dessert, there is nothing better than carrot and date rolls. Getting the naturally sweet ingredients together would make an irresistible dessert. You can grate some carrots and mix them with chopped dates. Once you have well-mixed, add chopped dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, and raisins and bake it. Drizzle some honey on the baked rolls and enjoy a winter dessert without guilt.
Carrot Kheer
If you like the traditional Indian dessert kheer, you can give it a winter sweet by adding some carrots. If you want to give the winter dessert a try, you can start by rinsing and grating some carrots. Then, let them simmer in milk. Add in sugar once the carrots are tender, and then keep stirring until you get a thick and creamy consistency. Garnish with chopped nuts, and your dessert is ready.
Gajar Barfi
Barfi is a versatile Indian sweet that can be made with a wide range of ingredients. If you want to incorporate carrots in a dessert, gajar barfi can be a great option. Just grate some carrots and cook them in ghee. After the carrots are tender, add khoya and mix. Let the mixture simmer till you get a thick consistency. Transfer it to a plate and cut it into pieces. You can then garnish it with dry fruits like almonds, cashew nuts, and pistachios, and enjoy.
Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is perfect for people who like to have something sweet with their evening tea or coffee. By incorporating the winter vegetable, you can make a soft carrot cake. All you need to do to make the winter-special cake is mix the dry ingredients like maida, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Then, you can mix the wet ingredients like eggs, butter, and vanilla essence. Gently mix to get a smooth batter and then bake it to perfection. Once baked, wait for the cake to cool down and then dig in!