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Carrot Halwa Blondie Bars


Anushka has been attending playschool for the last three months and the best part was that it required parent participation. Now that its closed for summer, I can't decide which one of us misses it more. The crafts, songs, playtime, new friends...it was awesome going back to school. The last week of school was most exciting, as there were three potlucks, meaning a chance to try three new recipes!! I love a potluck and am most comfortable taking along something sweet. Made brownie bites, brownies and these carrot halwa blondie bars.


This is Nivedita's winning recipe in the Indian category on Cooking Channel's Perfect 3 program and it was such a deserved win!! These bars are fabulous and you'll be so surprised with the first bite, because they do taste just like the halwa. Manoj and I couldn't stop taking bites and I had to actually hide them so I would have enough for the potluck. They were a big hit, even with those not familiar with carrot halwa. Made a second batch for Manoj's friends last week and received a ton of compliments, all thanks to Niv!

Carrot Halwa Blondie Bars


Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
3 tsps double acting baking powder
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
8 cardamom pods, seeds removed and finely crushed
2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup raisins
5 tbs sugar
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup whole milk
8 tbs unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sliced almonds


Method:
Preheat the oven to 350F/ 180C. Grease and line a 9"x13" pan.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg powder and the crushed cardamom seeds in a big bowl until well combined.
Combine the carrots, raisins, sugar and the condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl. Rinse out the can of condensed milk with the whole milk and add to the bowl. Mix well. Microwave on high for about 5-8 minutes until the carrots lose their raw texture and taste. Stir in the melted butter. 
Pour this mixture into the center of the flour mixture and fold gently just until combined. Do not overmix.
Spread the mixture on the baking pan and sprinkle the sliced almonds on top. 
Bake until the top is golden, about 20 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack completely before cutting and serving. 
Keep at room temperature in an airtight container for upto 2 days or freeze for upto a month.

30 comments:

  1. Looks delicious. a nice twist to halwa

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  2. This is just awesome..I am going to try them..

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  3. wowee.. made my day seeing this post. Thanks so much!

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  4. Awesome pic.....beautiful and wonderful recipe... looks so yummy...wish i could grab some.

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  5. Nice idea, looks so tempting n sounds interesting!!

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  6. Wow this is so tempting, I love carrot halwa I'm sure this will taste great... Hope to try soon...

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  7. Nice and delicious.great innovative reipe.will surely try this..bookmarked!

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  8. I love carrot cake its so yummy, but i dont consume milk and butter, can changed it with soy milk for the whole milk and margarine? thank you

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  9. This is an amazing twist! Lovely!

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  10. A very lovely twist to the traditional halwa :-) Looks yum!

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  11. thats an interesting recipe. carrot halwa in oven, i have never heard it. the texture looks very very perfect.

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  12. your pics are looking bigger and nicer. i always wondered why your pics are not big. good to see such a better change on your blog. the blondies are looking delicious.

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  13. They look incredible. I've never had carry halva but I love carrot cake so I'm sure they'd be delicious.

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  14. Can't wait to try it..looks super tempting..

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  15. This is already in my wish list to try and I know that I am gonna eat this non stop! Niv totally rocked in TV :)

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  16. Wow the cake looks yummy ! Thanks for submitting your photo to DMBLGiT July 2012

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  17. cant wait to try this one...jus love carot halwa......drool

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  18. i love this idea.. blondie + carrot halwa!

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  19. nice one !! creative and lovely shots

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  20. Hi Poornima,

    Tries these Blondie bars today and loved them! Thank you for sharing this simple and tasty recipe!!

    Anusha

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  21. Hi Poornima,

    Made these blondie bars today and enjoyed them!
    Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe!!

    Anusha

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  22. Hey.. I tried it again today and it looks great.. Haven't tasted yet.. I dont know what went wrong last time.. Thanks a bunch!!
    Deepti

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    Replies
    1. Relieved...whole day I was wondering what could have gone wrong! Hope it tasted good too!

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  23. Hey... I tried these again today.. It turned out great in looks... Can't wait to taste... Thanks again!!

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