Gajar Ka Halwa Affogato: The Coffee Shifu’s Exclusive Fusion Recipe

Gajar Ka Halwa Affogato fuses traditional Indian carrot halwa with classic Italian affogato, where hot espresso pours over halwa-topped vanilla ice cream for a warm-cold contrast. This Coffee Shifu exclusive creates a dessert blending spiced sweetness, nutty richness, and bold coffee notes.

Core Concept

Traditional gajar ka halwa simmers grated carrots in milk, ghee, sugar, and cardamom until thick and aromatic. Affogato drowns ice cream in espresso. The Coffee Shifu version layers chilled vanilla ice cream with fresh halwa, then “drowns” it in hot espresso, garnished with saffron and nuts for an indulgent, temperature-shifting experience.​

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• Halwa: 500g grated red carrots, 750ml full-fat milk, 4 tbsp ghee, ½ cup sugar, ½ tsp cardamom powder, pinch saffron, ¼ cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), 2 tbsp raisins.
• Assembly: 2 cups vanilla ice cream, 120ml hot espresso (4 shots), extra nuts and saffron for garnish.​​

Step-by-Step Recipe

Make the Halwa

Grate carrots finely after peeling and washing. Heat ghee in a heavy pan, roast nuts until golden, then set aside. Boil milk, add carrots, and simmer 35-45 minutes until milk evaporates and carrots soften, stirring often. Add sugar, cardamom, bloomed saffron (in 2 tbsp warm milk), ghee, nuts, and raisins; cook 8-10 minutes until ghee separates. Cool and chill.​

Assemble Affogato

Scoop ½ cup ice cream per chilled glass. Top with 2-3 tbsp chilled halwa. Pour 30ml hot espresso slowly over top. Garnish with roasted nuts and saffron strands. Serve immediately as ice cream melts into creamy coffee-halwa sauce.​

Flavor Science

Hot espresso (70-80°C) melts ice cream, blending halwa’s carrot sweetness and spices with coffee’s bitterness. Cardamom and saffron amplify coffee aromatics, while ghee adds richness. Carrots provide beta-carotene for nutrition alongside coffee’s antioxidants.​

Pro Tips

Use red winter carrots for deeper flavor. Brew medium-roast espresso fresh. Prepare halwa 1-2 days ahead for flavor melding; store refrigerated for 1 day. For vegan: swap milk/ghee/ice cream with coconut versions.

Variations

• Jaggery Twist: Substitute sugar for earthy depth.
• Rose Infusion: Add rose water to halwa.
• Chocolate Layer: Drizzle dark chocolate before espresso.

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