Coconut Halwa Recipe – A simple and delectable Indian dessert made with fresh coconut, condensed milk and cardamom. It has a rich and creamy texture, making it a great dessert for any occasion!

What is coconut halwa?

Coconut halwa or Nariyal ka Halwa is a simple and delicious Indian dessert that is often made during festivals such as Krishnashtami, Diwali and Holi. It is typically made by cooking freshly grated coconut, sugar and milk together until it thickens.

Coconut halwa with condensed milk is a variation of the traditional coconut halwa. The addition of condensed milk will give a rich and creamy texture to the halwa and will also reduces the cooking time by eliminating the need of stirring and cooking for longer period of time.

It can be made easily with 4-5 ingredients and is a wonderful dessert for special occasions.

Ingredients & Substitutions:

Coconut – You can use fresh or frozen coconut in this recipe.

Sweetened Condensed Milk – It gives a rich and creamy texture to the dessert. Add more if you want more sweetness and cook for little longer.

Milk – Full-fat or low-fat milk can be used.

Ghee – Ghee is clarified butter, you can get it from any Indian store or online. If you can’t find ghee, replace it with equal quantity of melted butter or coconut oil.

Cardamom – For the best flavor, use freshly ground cardamom seeds if possible.

Nuts – You can use any of your favorite nuts.

Storage suggestions:

If you are storing the halwa at room temperature, consume it within a day.

It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

If you want to store it for longer period of time, freeze it for up to 1-2 months.

Serving suggestions:

It can be served as a dessert or sweet snack. In India, it is often offered as prasad during festivals and religious occasions.

Coconut halwa can also be used as a filling in desserts like dumplings, pies, cakes, and turnovers to make a fusion dessert.

Tips & Notes:

Use freshly grated coconut for the best taste and flavor if possible. You could also use frozen one if you don’t have fresh ones in hand. Thaw it before cooking.

Stir the halwa continuously while cooking to avoid burning.

Do not overcook the mixture, it can make the halwa hard and chewy.

You can also add some ghee-roasted cashews and raisins to it.

Step by step instructions:

Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a wide pan.

Add coconut and roast for 2-3 minutes.

Add milk and condensed milk to the pan and mix everything until well combined.

Keep stirring and cook on a medium flame for 6-7 minutes until the mixture thickens and starts leaving the sides of the pan.

Add ground cardamom and give it a mix.

Remove it from heat when the halwa starts leaving the sides of the pan.

Let it cool down a bit and serve.

Sprinkle nuts on top before serving.

How to make coconut halwa recipe video below: