🍮 Caramel Carrot Kheer

This Caramel Carrot Kheer is a delicious twist on the traditional gajar kheer — rich, creamy, and infused with a hint of caramel that adds a beautiful toffee-like sweetness. Perfect for Diwali or any festive celebration, this dessert blends the natural sweetness of carrots with the deep flavor of homemade caramel. While making kheer is simple, caramel needs patience — melt sugar on low to medium heat and keep a close watch for that perfect medium amber color. Serve it warm or chilled like a pudding, and enjoy a festive treat that’s truly irresistible! 🤎✨

Ingredients

• 2 cups grated carrots
• ½ litre full-fat milk
• 2 tbsp ghee (divided)
• 1 cup sugar (for caramel)
• Splash of water (for caramel)
• 2 tbsp soaked & ground rice (optional, for thickness)
• 5–6 cashews + 5–6 almonds (chopped)
• 3–4 cardamom pods (powdered)
• Few saffron strands
• 1 tbsp condensed milk or jaggery (optional, for richness)

Instructions

Roast Nuts & Carrots

• Heat 1 tsp ghee in a pan, roast cashews & almonds till golden. Remove and keep aside.
• In the same pan, add 2 cups grated carrots. Sauté 3–4 minutes until soft and glossy.

Cook with Milk

• Add ½ litre milk and simmer on medium heat.
• Stir occasionally till the milk thickens and carrots are fully cooked.
• Add 2 tbsp soaked & ground rice (optional) for a creamy, thick texture.

Flavoring

• Mix in cardamom powder, saffron strands, and roasted nuts.
• Add condensed milk or jaggery if you want extra richness.
• Let it bubble for 5 minutes.

Make Caramel

• In another heavy bottom pan, heat 1 tsp ghee. Add 1 cup sugar + a splash of water.
• Keep flame on low to medium heat to avoid crystallization.
• Cook till it reaches a medium amber color — sweet, rich, and toffee-like (not too dark, or it’ll taste bitter).
• Turn off heat. Remember, caramel cooks further in the hot pan, so act quickly!

Combine Carefully

• Slowly pour caramel into the kheer, a little at a time, while stirring.
• Don’t add all at once — it can splash and curdle the milk.

Serve

• Caramel Carrot Kheer is ready! Enjoy it warm and comforting, or chilled like a creamy pudding.

Tips & Notes

• Always use granulated sugar for caramel (not powdered).
• Don’t walk away while caramelizing — the color change happens very fast.
• Add caramel little by little for the smoothest result.