Gajar Halwa Loaf

Have you ever had Carrot Halwa? If you’ve answered no, you’re missing out! And if you answered yes! Well then that automatically makes us besties 😅.

I’ve only ever made carrot cake twice in my life, you can find that recipe on my blog. However i’ve been trying for months to add some “Oomph” to this classic dessert.

I replaced grated carrots in my carrot cake for carrot halwa, the results were way to good not to share. It’s sweet, moist, spicy, decadent with a lot of Indian flair. Yep that’s definitely my kind of dessert. Complimented by a delicious spiced cream cheese frosting and some gold leaf and pistachios.

I used I Heart Beets recipe for Gajar ka halwa which I used my instant pot to make. You can find her recipe here.

Gajar Ka Halwa Loaf
Ingredients

Cake
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups carrot halwa
1 cup pecans (optional)
2 large eggs
1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Pinch salt

Spiced cream cheese frosting
70g Butter
120g cream cheese
1 and a 1/2 cups of icing sugar, sifted
Vanilla essence
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Gold leaf and Pistachios to decorate (optional)

Method
Preheat oven to 180 C. Prep a loaf tin with baking paper.

Whisk together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, spices and salt.

In a large bowl with an electric beater cream together the white sugar and vegetable oil. Add the carrot halwa mixture and mix to combine. Add the eggs and beat in. Add the nuts and stir to combine. Fold in the flour mixture until well combined.

Pour batter into prepared loaf tin.

Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Lift out to a cooling rack to cool completely.

To make frosting: Beat together the cream cheese, butter vanilla and spices. Add the icing sugar and beat until fluffy and smooth.