Carrot Halwa Ice Cream Cookies

Name: Carrot Halwa Ice Cream Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup butter melted; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 egg; ⅓ cup gajar halwa; 1&½ cups flour; Favorite ice cream of choice; 1 cup shredded coconut; ¼ cup roughly chopped pistachios

Sweta Patel

October 11, 2022

Jump To Recipe

35 Minutes

These easy-to-make gajar halwa ice cream sandwiches are a South Asian twist on a beloved classic and a great fusion dessert recipe for Diwali. The gajar (carrot) halwa cookie exterior brings an authentic Indian flavor to the American ice cream sandwich.

Ice cream sandwiches are a staple of American food. The fact that you can find them in just about any gas station freezer or ice cream truck tells you as much! The experience of eating one, and probably getting the chocolate shortbread on your hands, is nearly universal.

My husband loves a classic ice cream sandwich, but I find them to be a little bland and boring. No shade to the classics, but you always see the same, basic flavors. So, why not shake things up a bit by bringing in an Indian twist?

I love all my fusion desserts, but this is one of my favorite Diwali recipes, mainly because it is so easy to make vegan and/or dairy-free. Plus, gajar halwa is probably my favorite Indian dessert. (If you’re the same, you’ll also love my Gajar Ka Halwa Truffles recipe, which takes less than 30 minutes!).

Growing up, I had lactose intolerance issues and these gajar halwa ice cream sandwiches were one of the only desserts I could actually enjoy that wouldn’t hurt my stomach. Not only is the gajar halwa cookie vegan, but you can also substitute the ice cream interior with plant-based ice cream options like Oatly or SO delicious, or other non-dairy alternatives.

I used to eat so many of these during Diwali that they naturally became a staple in my life. In fact, I have made this recipe for every Diwali season – without fail.

In this recipe, gajar halwa replaces the classic chocolate shortbread, giving a whole new breadth to the flavor. Due to the level of sweetness and power of flavor of the gajar halwa, pairing it with subtle ice cream flavors is the way to go. However, you can always experiment with more fun flavors like coconut or pistachio ice cream to make this recipe your own.

TIPS FOR HOSTING, MEAL PREPPING, SUBSTITUTES, ETC.

I like to make the cookie exterior the day before, so you don’t have to wait for them to cool before assembling them the day of. This helps speed up the process, especially if you’re looking to serve these during a Diwali party or social gathering.
You can substitute the vanilla ice cream with any ice cream flavor you like to add a personal touch. I prefer vanilla because it balances out the flavor from the cookies and side toppings, but you can experiment with different flavors!
Here is a Gulab Jamun Gelato recipe if you want to crank up the flavor on this fusion dessert.
If you end up with leftovers or want to store your gajar halwa ice cream sandwiches for later, I recommend individually wrapping the finished ice cream sandwiches in plastic wrap and putting them in the freezer.
You want the gajar halwa cookie to be a little bit on the thinner side. So, don’t worry too much if your batter looks a little bit runny.