Atta Halwa
This recipe has been in my mind for quite a long time. It is also called as Godumai Halwa, wheat flour halwa. This recipe is a basic recipe and it turns out just perfect. I have few versions of this halwa which is made with whole wheat flour like my kada prasad and Tirunelveli halwa . Unlike other halwa, this halwa is such an easy recipe to make, and it taste great. I thought this would be a great recipe to share now as it is Navrathri season.
About Wheat Halwa (Atta Halwa)
Wheat halwa also known as wheat flour halwa, godhumai halwa or atta halwa is a popular Indian sweet or dessert made with wheat flour, sugar, ghee, nuts and raisins. This halwa is specially made during festive season like Diwali, Navrathri, usually served as Prasadam in temples around Northern part of India. Atta halwa is made by roasting wheat flour in ghee till toasted and nutty, sugar and water is added and cooked in a heavy bottom pan till it leaves the sides of the pan. Halwa should be glossy in texture which generous amount of ghee on top. Don’t be stingy when it comes to ghee, more ghee gives the proper texture for halwa. There are few important steps when making wheat halwa including roasting wheat flour and the amount of sugar and ghee used. I have shared few tips and tricks in my notes section to prevent wheat flour from turning lumpy.
Similar Halwa Recipes
Custard Powder HalwaBadam HalwaKasi HalwaCornflour HalwaCarrot HalwaMango Halwa
Watch Wheat Halwa Video
Wheat Halwa (Atta Halwa) Ingredients
Wheat flour - use good quality wheat flour. You can use homemade or store bought wheat flour for making halwa. Sugar - The amount of sugar added in the halwa helps with the texture. Reducing the sugar will affect the texture of halwa. The amount of sugar which I used helps getting the proper texture. You can use jaggery or brown sugar instead of sugar, but it will change the texture of the halwa. Ghee - use pure desi ghee for flavour and best tasting halwa. Nuts & Dried Fruits - I used cashews and raisins for the halwa. You can add sliced badam, melon seeds, walnuts or any chopped nuts as you prefer. Salt - like every sweet recipe, a pinch of salt helps making the halwa taste BALANCED. Water - quantity of water helps with the texture of the halwa. The more water you use the more time you have to cook the sweet also it makes the halwa extra glossy.
How to Make Atta Halwa (3 Easy Steps)
Frying Nuts - Heat ¼ cup ghee in a kadai. Add in cashews and raisins. Fry on low heat till golden. Strain and set aside. Roasting Wheat Flour - In the same pan into the remaining ghee, add in wheat flour and roast on low flame for a good 5 to 6 mins till it is well toasted and roasted. Now add in ¼ tsp salt and mix well. Cooking Halwa - Pour in water and mix gently, add sugar and combine well. Cook this by keep stirring it. After 5 mins, start adding the remaining ½ cup of ghee little at a time and keep cooking on low heat. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, the halwa will get non sticky and leaves the sides of the pan. At this point, add in cardamom powder and fried nuts. Mix well and serve.
Tips to Prevent Lumpy Wheat Halwa
Whenever you are making wheat halwa, if you experience lumpy texture in your halwa. Then you might follow them tips to prevent them. Sieving Wheat Flour - You can sieve wheat flour before roasting and after roasting for smoother texture. Adding water gradually - you can add water gradually while you keep mixing to avoid lumps. Also using hot water helps preventing the halwa going lumpy. Constant whisking - keep mixing it constantly on low heat to avoid lumps. Also use nonstick pan if you have one. Make sure the heat it low when adding water and sugar.
What to do if wheat halwa gets lumpy?
If you are amateur and struggling getting smooth halwa even after following the above steps. And if your halwa has small lumps of wheat flour even after mixing constantly. It is really simple to get rid of all the lumps in just a matter of seconds. If your halwa gets lumpy, take it off the heat. Let it cool down for 5 minutes. Now take the whole halwa in a food processor or blender. Blend this for 30 to 45 seconds till the mixture gets smooth and lump free. Transfer the whole halwa to the same kadai and continue the process. Now you will have smooth, glossy halwa every time.
How to Make Wheat Halwa (Stepwise Pictures)
Frying Nuts & Dried Fruits
1)Heat ¼ cup of ghee in a kadai. 2)Add in cashews and golden raisins also known as sultanas. Once nuts are added in fry this in low heat till golden brown. 3)The raisins will get puffy, once it gets puffy, remove it from the ghee using a slotted spoon. 4)Set this aside till needed. We will be using this in the end.
Roasting Wheat Flour
5)Now to the same pan, in the remaining ¼ cup of ghee, add in wheat flour.
6)Start roasting wheat flour on low medium heat till it is toasted. You have to roast this really well till the flour gets toasty. The colour of the halwa gets light golden in colour and it will smell aromatic.
7)Add a pinch of salt into the wheat flour and mix well.
8)Now you can see the wheat flour has changes golden in colour and looks toasty.
Adding sugar
9)Now to the toasted wheat flour, add in water. Make sure you reduce the flame to low before adding in the water. once water is added, mix it gently using a spoon till combined. 10)Add in sugar into the wheat flour mixture. 11)Mix it really well till it is lump free. If your mixture looks lumpy, check my notes section. I have shared how to remove lumps from the halwa.
Adding Ghee
12)Now add the the remaining ½ cup of ghee little at a time while mixing constantly. 13)Mix the ghee into the wheat flour. 14)Now add in more ghee and mix well. 15)Now you can see the halwa has started thickening. It will leave the sides of the pan and looks non sticky.
Finishing Wheat Halwa
16)Now the halwa is ready, add in ground cardamom. 17)Add in fried nuts and dried fruits. 18)Mix well. Allow this to cool for few minutes before serving. Enjoy.
Expert Tips
Use good quality wheat flora when making halwa. Make sure you sieve the wheat flour before making wheat halwa. You can use jaggery, unrefined sugar or brown sugar instead of regular sugar. Make sure you use generous amount of ghee when making halwa. It helps with the texture, taste and look of the halwa. You can use any chopped or sliced nuts like almonds, walnuts in this halwa.
Serving & Storage
Atta halwa taste great when served hot. But you can store the leftovers in fridge and reheat the next day in a pan or microwave for few seconds. Cooked wheat halwa can be stored upto 4 to 5 days in fridge.
1)Which wheat to use for making halwa?
Use good quality wheat flour. You can use homemade or store bought wheat flour for making halwa.
2)Can we use jaggery when making atta halwa?
You can use jaggery or brown sugar instead of sugar. Even though it changes the texture of the halwa, it taste great.
3)Is wheat halwa good for health?
Halwa like other sweets is high in calories because of the amount of ghee and sugar added. It might be a healthy choice, but it is important to consume this in moderation.
4)What to do if wheat halwa gets lumpy?
If your halwa gets lumpy, take it off the heat. Let it cool down for 5 minutes. Now take the whole halwa in a food processor or blender. Blend this for 30 to 45 seconds till the mixture gets smooth and lump free. Transfer the whole halwa to the same kadai and continue the process. Now you will have smooth, glossy halwa every time.
More Halwa Recipes to Try
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