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Urad Dal Halwa

Name: Urad Dal Halwa
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: North Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup urad dal soaked and ground; 1/2 cup ghee; 1 cup sugar; 2 cups water or milk; Cardamom powder to taste; Chopped nuts for garnish

Rich Lentil Dessert

A luxurious, decadent Indian sweet made by slow-roasting ground urad dal in generous amounts of ghee and simmering it with milk and sugar.

Festive Dessert Rich & Decadent Winter Delicacy

About Urad Dal Halwa

Urad Dal Halwa is an indulgent and aromatic traditional Indian dessert known for its heavy, granular texture and rich taste. Slowly roasted in ghee until golden brown, this labor of love is often prepared during harsh winters and special festive occasions.

Cuisine

North Indian

Serves

4–5 People

Cooking Time

45–60 Minutes

Ingredients

1 cup split white urad dal (soaked)
1 cup pure ghee
1 cup sugar
2 cups whole milk (warmed)

1/2 tsp cardamom powder
2 tbsp almonds & pistachios (chopped)
Saffron strands (soaked in milk)
Water (as needed)

Preparation

1

Grind

Drain the soaked dal and grind it into a slightly coarse paste.
2

Melt Ghee

Heat a heavy-bottomed pan and melt the pure ghee.
3

Roast

Add the dal paste and roast continuously on low heat until golden brown.
4

Simmer Liquid

In another pan, dissolve sugar in warm milk and water with saffron.
5

Combine

Carefully pour the sweetened milk into the roasted dal.
6

Cook

Stir continuously until the liquid is absorbed and ghee separates.
7

Garnish

Mix in cardamom powder and chopped nuts, then serve warm.

Pro Tip

The absolute key to a spectacular Urad Dal Halwa is patience and elbow grease. You must roast the lentil paste in ghee on a low flame continuously to prevent it from sticking or burning; rushing this step on high heat will leave the dal raw and ruin the flavor. Grinding the dal slightly coarse rather than completely smooth ensures the halwa develops that authentic, delightful granular texture upon finishing.