Rich and delicious, this vegan Almond Halwa or Badam Halwa will stand out at your Diwali table, and no one will be able to tell that it's completely dairy-free!
Diwali's the time of year to go a little bit over the top, particularly with food. It is time when every Indian kitchen is overrun-- but never overwhelmed-- with sweets and savory snacks of every shape, taste and hue.
This year's Diwali dawned on me pretty suddenly, as it seems to do each year, actually. Since I'm no genius in the planning-ahead department, it was only yesterday that I woke up to the fact that I needed to get at least one really special sweet ready in time for the big day.
I pondered making vegan laddu, which I love and which are a true Diwali staple, but Desi is not crazy about them. So to make our Diwali sweet something we'd both really, really want to eat-- and share-- I decided on Badam Halwa, or Almond Halwa.
Badam Halwa is a rich, luscious treat that lends itself perfectly to very special occasions....like Diwali. But like the best dishes, it is also quite foolproof and requires just five ingredients (besides the garnish). Be warned that if you're not patient and balk from some heavy-duty stirring over a hot stove for nearly an hour, this is not the sweet for you.
Lots of cooks take tons of time blanching the almonds and peeling them, but I prefer to use whole almonds, skin and all, because the skins are full of flavor and aren't they good for you? Besides why do more work when you can do less?
Traditionally Badam Halwa would include a ton of milk and a ton of ghee. I used Earth Balance vegan butter and soymilk, although any non-dairy milk would do here.
More Indian vegan sweets
- Vegan Gajar Halwa
- Vegan Cashew Halwa
- Vegan Zucchini Halwa
- Vegan Barfi
- Vegan Gulab Jamun
- Vegan Kaju Katli
- Vegan Mishti Doi
Almond Halwa
Ingredients
- 3 cups almonds
- 2-3 cups nondairy milk (like almond milk or oat milk)
- 4 tablespoon vegan butter
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
For garnish
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- 2-3 tablespoon golden raisins
Instructions
- Place the almonds in a blender (if your blender isn't a powerful one, like a Vitamix, soak the almonds in water for a couple of hours first to soften them)
- Cover the almonds in the blender with enough soymilk to cover them by at least half an inch. Blend until you have a pancake-like batter. You want the almond paste to be slightly grainy, but without any big pieces.
- Melt the vegan butter in a skillet, preferably a really well-seasoned cast-iron or non-stick one.Pour the almond paste into the skillet. Add the sugar.
- Over medium-low heat, stir the paste constantly with a ladle to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
- When the paste loses a good deal of its moisture and expresses the fat, turn off the heat. Stir in the cardamom powder. Pour into a plate or a serving dish.
- For the garnish, heat the oil in a small saucepan. Add the pumpkin seeds and raisins and stir until they just start to change color. Pour over the halwa.
Nutrition
Love this vegan Almond Halwa? Check out more Indian vegan recipes on Holy Cow Vegan!
Nithya
Absolutely mouth-watering!
Akanxa
I am going to make this!
Anonymous
Dear Vaishali,
Me and my husband just made this halwa and we loved it. I follow vegan diet and hubby does not. But he was very happy. We didn't miss any ghee or milk. I couldn''t follow any healthy diet rule tonight (of not eating desserts in the night at 9 pm). It has come out very delicious.
Thank you very much.
Vaishali Honawar
That's so lovely. Thanks for the feedback! So glad your husband and you enjoyed it. And I am very much like you-- no rules when it comes to desserts. 🙂
Anonymous
u have mentioned, melt half the vegan butter. when shall Iadd the remaining half?
Vaishali Honawar
Anon, that was a mistake on my part-- add all of it at the start.
Anonymous
Dear Vaishali,
can u pls explain bit more about "When the paste loses a good deal of its moisture and expresses the fat, turn off the heat". So do we turn off the head when the paste starts leaving the sides of pan?
Thanks
Vaishali Honawar
Hi Anon, the halwa will look slick and oily-- you will be able to tell when you get to that stage. Also be sure to taste, carefully because the halwa is very hot. It should not taste raw.
You get to the stage where the halwa leaves the sides of the pan much earlier, so don't go by that.
Catch me if u can
Hi Vaishali, I tried this recipe today and totally love it!!! Thanks 🙂 am looking forward for the rasamalai too!
Vaishali
Charanya, Happy Diwali! I am going to try that rasmalai soon-- it's always been one of my favorite sweets. Keep an eye out!
Charanya
Vaishali - I tried your Vegan Badam Halwa for Deepavali this year and it turned out DELISH - and I am not even that big of an Indian sweets fan!! Thanks so much for the wonderful recipe!
Any chance you have a vegan rasmalai recipe??? 🙂
evolvingtastes
Vaishali, Happy Diwali to you and your! Very pretty presentation of the halwa.
Daisy
Looks delicious!
I made a mango halwa when I got back to Portugal, to show my family how Indian desserts are sweet and easy to make. I will try this one of sure, I really like almonds (homemade almond milk is my favorite above all)!
Happy Diwali!!
Susana.
Lavi
Happy Diwali. Vaishali!
After long time, iam here. Love this layout!
Badam halwa looks Great! i thought of preparing for this diwali. but could'nt.
Nice pics too.
Can you please send it to my event, as you said earlier...
swapna
Happy Diwali...halwa looks fabulous and yumm!!
Priya
Vegan almond halwa looks absolutely delicious..Happy Diwali wishes to u and ur family..
Rachana
Dear Vaishali,
I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous Diwali.
Almond halwa looks awesome.
Pavani
Almond halwa looks awesome. I've to try this real soon. Wish you and your family a very Happy Diwali..
Latha
Delightful Badam halwa!
Wish you and your family a very Happy Diwali!
Cham
If we were in India the festival bug would have caught us and realized long before to do some sweets.
But u always amaze me to turn all our sweet into vegan.
Happy Diwali to u and Desi!
Chhaya
A very Happy Diwali to you and your family, Vaishali ! Thats one yummy scrumptious looking dessert 🙂 Will try and make it over the festival weekend !
Soma
Happy Diwali Vaishali to you and all your dear ones.
I know I have not been in touch for the longest time. 🙁 hope you are doing good.
wishing you happiness and prosperity.
Hugs
Soma
AMA's AnythingVegetarian
Happy Diwali To you and your family.I agree with you on not blanching and peeling the skin off.Looks like a perfect Badam Alwa for Diwali.:).
Sharmilee! :)
Wow such a creamy and yummy dessert
Anonymous
Dear Vaishali
Wish you and your family a Very Happy Diwali and Thank you for a wonderful festive recipe
I hope the kids get to eat a bit of this sweet as well.