Authentic Moong Dal Halwa Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide to Make Delicious Indian Dessert

You will absolutely love this Moong Dal Halwa with this foolproof recipe! This traditional Indian dessert, rich in texture and taste, is a perfect treat for any occasion. Made from split yellow lentils (moong dal), ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and a blend of aromatic spices, this halwa promises to delight your taste buds with its irresistible sweetness and nutty aroma.

Archana Doshi
Authentic Moong Dal Halwa Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide to Make Delicious Indian Dessert
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Moong Dal Halwa is a delicious lentil pudding that is made the roasted split yellow mung lentils that is then slow cooked in milk and ghee. Make this dish for a special occasion or festival like Diwali or when you have a dinner party with an Indian Menu at home. It makes a perfect warm winter dessert as well. 

The first time I had made this was when I was newly married and my in laws had come to visit me Boston for the very first time. Never in the slightest of my dreams would I have known that Moong Dal Nu Halwa was my father in laws most favorite of all the sweets. He relished it and praised it so much that it had become one of the most touching moments of my life. Come every winter the rich lentil pudding is made with much enthusiasm in many Gujarati homes as it is not only believed to keep the body warm but also a fantastic dessert for cold months of winter.

Serve Moong Dal Halwa Recipe (Warm Lentil Pudding with Nuts and Spices) as a dessert after a one pot meal of One Pot Spicy Vegetable Pulao Recipe with Coconut Milk or One Pot Vangi Bath Recipe.

If you like this recipe, try more recipes like

  1. Gehun Ka Halwa/Sheera Recipe (Classic Indian Wheat Flour Pudding)
  2. Ragi & Whole Wheat Halwa Recipe (Finger Millet Pudding)
  3. Papaya and Carrot Halwa Recipe

Cuisine: Indian
Course: Dessert
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep in

400 M

Cooks in

90 M

Total in

490 M

Makes:

6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Yellow Moong Dal (Split)
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 cup Ghee
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 2 pinch Saffron strands

How to make Authentic Moong Dal Halwa Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide to Make Delicious Indian Dessert

  1. To begin making the Moong Dal Halwa Recipe, soak the moong dal in water for at least 3 hours.

  2. Once soaked, drain the water completely and grind the moong dal into a coarse mixture using the food processor. You need to ensure that it does not become a paste, but has a coarse texture.

  3. Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed pan on medium heat; add the ground moong dal and reduce to the heat to low stirring the mixture continuously, allowing it to turn golden brown from its yellowish texture. 

  4. The above process of cooking the lentil in low heat is very crucial to a delicious tasting halwa. It takes a good 45 minutes for it to cook in the low heat and get to a beautiful golden brown state. Take care not to turn the heat to high to speed up the process.

  5. The low heat cooking helps the moong dal to cook well and turn brown evenly releasing the perfect rustic aroma.

  6. Once the moong dal is well cooked and reached a golden brown state; add the sugar, milk, saffron and mix well until combined.

  7. Continue to stir on low heat until the mixture thickens releases itself from the sides of the pan; this process would take another 20 to 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and transfer theMoong Dal Halwa to a serving bowl and serve hot along with your meal

  8. Serve the Moong Dal Halwa as a dessert when you make elaborate lunches for your friends and family or during festive and special occasions or after a one pot meal of One Pot Spicy Vegetable Pulao Recipe with Coconut Milk or One Pot Vangi Bath Recipe.