Are you looking for a quick and easy Indian dessert to make for an upcoming party or even just to satisfy your sweet craving? Look no further. Easy and quick Badam Halwa with Almond Flour is a delicious treat that will bring joy to your family and friends. It's a classic Indian dessert that has been popular for centuries. The unique flavor of almond flour gives the halwa a delicious nutty flavor, while the addition of clarified butter, milk, sugar and saffron strands add sweetness, richness and fragrant notes that make this dish truly irresistible.
The traditional method of making badam ka halwa involves soaking the almonds for a few hours to remove the skin and then grinding the almonds with a water to make a fine paste. This slurry is then cooked to prepare the almond halwa. However making the pudding with store-bought almond flour has made the whole process so much easier and makes soaking the almonds the day before the party one less thing to worry about.
Origins of Halwa
According to Abdul Halim Sharar, a 20th-century author and historian, halwa originated in Arabic lands and came to India via Persia. This original Middle Eastern dessert was made from date paste and milk. It has been popular for centuries due to its delicious flavor and ease of making.
According to Slurrp, it was first mentioned in the 13th century Arabic book Kitab al-Tabikh (The Book of Dishes) by Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan Ibn al-Karīm do. Achaya writes in his book - The illustrated foods of India that, " in India, it [halwa] connotes softly firm desserts made from a range of materials: Wheat flour, wheat grits, vermicelli, Bengal gram flour, fruits like banana and date, nuts like almond and vegetables like pumpkins and dates. "
Check out some other halwa recipes in my blog:
- Beetroot Halwa
Why you will love this Badam ka Halwa recipe?
- It is an easy and quick recipe. It reduces the preparation time in half because we use almond flour here instead of whole almonds. So we completely eliminate the soaking and grinding time that we use in the traditional badam halwa recipe.
- This almond sheera recipe is great for parties and festive gatherings because it works so well as a make ahead dessert with minimal effort.
- It is a soft and melt-in-the-mouth chewy dessert. As opposed to the traditional method of making badam halwa where we grind soaked almonds into a smooth paste, we use almond flour here. The almond flour even when cooked in milk retains a soft texture that is quite delectable.
- I am going to add this reason to the list anyway because it works in my case. It is a great way to sneak almonds into the food for those kids who refuse to eat whole almonds. My daughter who refuses to eat whole almonds never refuses this dessert.
- This is a great gluten-free almond dessert that is quite versatile. It can be made vegan by replacing milk with almond milk of your choice and replacing the ghee with a coconut oil or avocado oil. If you do not want to add refined sugar, you can add replace it coconut sugar or pure jaggery powder.
Ingredients to make Almond halwa with almond flour:
1. Clarified Butter
Clarified butter is an important ingredient in this almond flour halwa recipe, as it adds a richness and flavor that can't be achieved with other ingredients. Clarified butter has been used for centuries to give dishes an indulgent taste and texture, and its subtle nutty notes work perfectly with the almond flour base of this dessert. The clarified butter also helps to bind the pudding together. Additionally, clarified butter has a much higher smoking point than regular butter or oil which means you can cook it at high temperatures without worrying about burning the almonds or milk solids in the mixture. This makes creating an easy and quick Badam Halwa with Almond Flour even simpler!
2. Almond Flour
Almond flour is an ideal ingredient for making halwa as it adds a delicious nutty flavor to the pudding and also makes preparation much easier. Unlike the traditional method of soaking and grinding almonds, almond flour can be used directly in this recipe which eliminates the time-consuming process of preparing the ingredients beforehand.
3. Milk
Milk helps to bind the ingredients together while also providing a creamy texture that complements the nutty flavor of the almond flour. It also brings out the delicate flavors of saffron and cardamom which are essential for creating a delicious dessert. The addition of milk also helps to keep the halwa moist without making it too heavy or dense.
4. Sugar
Sugar is an important ingredient in this almond flour halwa recipe as it helps to enhance the sweetness of the dessert.
5.Salt
Helps to bring out the sweetness of the badam halwa. A useful tip that I picked up from I don't remember where is that, one must always add a pinch of salt to get the sweetness of any dessert just about right.
6. Saffron Strands
Saffron strands although not essential for making almond flour halwa, adds a subtle yet unmistakable flavor that gives the traditional dessert a unique and irresistible taste. Saffron is also known for its aromatic notes which add further depth to this dish, giving it an extra layer of complexity that makes it truly special. Additionally, saffron has been used in Indian cooking for centuries and has many health benefits including anti-inflammatory properties, improved digestion, and even cancer prevention.
7. Cardamom Powder
Cardamom powder is an essential ingredient in this almond flour halwa recipe. It adds a hint of spice to the pudding, and its fragrant notes enhance the flavor of the dish. Cardamom has been used in Indian cooking for centuries and provides many health benefits such as improved digestion, anti-inflammatory properties, and even cancer prevention.
Additionally, cardamom brings out the delicate flavors of saffron which are essential for creating a delicious dessert. The combination of all these ingredients creates a unique flavor that makes this easy Badam Halwa with Almond Flour truly irresistible!
Substitutions for making badam halwa recipe
When making almond flour halwa, there are some ingredients that can be substituted for one another. For example, saffron strands can be replaced with saffron extract which is a concentrated liquid form of saffron and will impart a subtle flavor and aroma to the dish. Additionally, almond milk can be used in place of cow’s milk as it is an easy alternative with a similar flavor profile.
Finally, cardamom powder can be omitted if desired but its aromatic notes enhance the flavor of this dessert significantly so it should not be overlooked when preparing this delicious recipe!
How to make almond halwa with almond flour
Almond Flour Halwa is a classic Indian dessert that is made using almond flour, milk, sugar, salt, saffron strands and cardamom powder. First, we saute the almond flour in half the amount of clarified butter/ ghee for a minute or two until the nutty almond flour gives off a fragrant aroma.
Next, we add the milk and cook the mixture for about 9 to 10 mins. We also add a few strands of saffron along with the milk. The amount of saffron you want to add is up to you. But keep in mind that more the saffron, the more the intoxicating flavor.
Once the milk incorporates into the almond flour, we add the sugar and salt and cook for 4 mins. The moisture still looks wet at this point but will eventually solidify after cooling. Add in the remaining amount of ghee slowly as you are stirring the almond flour halwa. Turn off the stove once all the ghee and sugar is incorporated into the easy and quick badam halwa with almond flour.
Storage instructions
Almond flour halwa is a delicious and nutritious dessert that can be enjoyed for days after it has been made.
In Refrigerator:
To store almond flour halwa, the cooked pudding should be transferred to an airtight container. It should then be placed in the refrigerator where it will keep fresh for up to five days.
In Freezer:
Additionally, if you would like to freeze your halwa, simply place individual servings into freezer-safe containers or bags before placing them in the freezer for up to three months.
By following these simple storage instructions, you can enjoy your almond flour halwa whenever you’d like!
Easy and quick Badam Halwa with Almond Flour
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy and quick Badam Halwa with Almond Flour is a delicious treat that will bring joy to your family and friends. It's a classic Indian dessert that has been popular for centuries. The unique flavor of almond flour gives the halwa a delicious nutty flavor, while the addition of clarified butter, milk, sugar and saffron strands add sweetness, richness and fragrant notes that make this dish truly irresistible.
Ingredients
Clarified butter/ ghee- ⅔ cup
Almond flour- 2 cups
Milk- 2 cups
Saffron strands - 2 pinches
Sugar - ½ cup
Pistachios for garnish
Instructions
- With the pan on medium heat, add half the quantity of clarified butter.
- Once the ghee/ clarified butter is hot, add the almond flour and roast it in the ghee for a minute or two until the nutty almond flour gives off a fragrant aroma.
- Once the almonds turn aromatic, add the milk and saffron stands to the pan.
- Cook the mixture by stirring it constantly for 9 to 10 minutes in low to medium flame.
- We also add a few strands of saffron along with the milk.
- Once the milk incorporates into the almond flour, we add the sugar and salt and cook for 4 mins.
- Add in the remaining amount of ghee slowly as you are stirring the almond flour halwa. The moisture still looks wet at this point but will eventually solidify after cooling.
- Turn off the stove once all the ghee and sugar is incorporated into the easy and quick badam halwa with almond flour.
Notes
Make sure to not cook the halwa on high heat as the milk may get burnt.
The amount of saffron you want to add is up to you. But keep in mind that more the saffron, the more the intoxicating flavor. My suggestion is to add at least 2 pinches.
- Prep Time: 2
- Cook Time: 18
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Badam Halwa, Indian dessert, Almond Halwa, Halwa,
Vinith says
This is wonderful
★★★★★