· By ODM Masala
Chuhare Ka Halwa Recipe: Rich Dry Date Halwa for Winter
Quick answer: Chuhare ka halwa is a rich winter sweet made by soaking dry dates (chuhare) in milk, grinding them into a paste and slow-cooking that paste in ghee with milk until thick and glossy. You need about 20 chuhare, 2 cups of milk, 3 tablespoons of ghee, a little sugar or jaggery and some elaichi, and it is ready in roughly 40 minutes after soaking.
Chuhara (also called chuwara or chhuhara; dry dates or dried dates in English, and kharik in Marathi) is simply a date that has been dried until firm. Soaked overnight, it turns soft and fudgy, and that is the secret behind this halwa. When the evenings turn cold and Diwali sweets are on everyone's mind, this is one of the easiest traditional halwas you can make at home with ODM Peela Chuwara (yellow dry dates).
What Do You Need for Chuhare Ka Halwa?
This makes 4 small servings.
- 20 to 22 peela chuhare (about 150g)
- 2 cups full-fat milk (1 cup for soaking, 1 cup for cooking)
- 3 tablespoons ghee
- 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar or grated jaggery (chuhare are already sweet, so start low)
- 4 to 5 green cardamom pods, seeds crushed (ODM Green Cardamom)
- 10 to 12 almonds, sliced (ODM Almonds)
- Optional: 2 tablespoons khoya or milk powder for extra richness
How to Make Chuhare Ka Halwa, Step by Step
- Soak: Rinse the chuhare and soak them in 1 cup of warm milk for 8 hours or overnight, covered, in the fridge. They should swell and feel soft when pressed.
- Deseed: Slit each chuhara and pull out the hard seed and the thin stem cap. Keep the soaking milk.
- Grind: Blend the softened chuhare with the soaking milk into a thick, slightly coarse paste. A little texture is nice; it should not be watery.
- Roast: Heat ghee in a heavy kadai on low-medium heat. Add the paste and stir constantly for 8 to 10 minutes until it darkens slightly and smells toasty.
- Add milk: Pour in the remaining 1 cup of milk and keep stirring. It will bubble and splutter, so lower the flame. Cook until most of the milk is absorbed, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Sweeten: Add the sugar or jaggery and the khoya if using. Stir until the halwa leaves the sides of the pan and the ghee starts to shine at the edges.
- Finish: Mix in the crushed elaichi, top with sliced almonds and serve warm.
Common Problems and Easy Fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Halwa is grainy and hard | Chuhare not soaked long enough | Soak overnight; if still firm, simmer them in the milk for 10 minutes before grinding |
| Tastes too sweet | Full sugar added at the start | Taste after the milk is absorbed, then add sugar a spoon at a time |
| Sticking and burning at the bottom | Flame too high or thin pan | Use a heavy kadai, low flame and keep stirring |
| Halwa looks dry and dull | Too little ghee or overcooked | Stir in 1 teaspoon ghee and a splash of warm milk |
These are rough home-kitchen guides; every batch of dates and every stove behaves a little differently.
Peela Chuwara or Kala Chuwara: Which Works Best?
Both work. Peela (yellow) chuwara gives a lighter, golden-brown halwa with a mild, caramel-like sweetness. Kala chuwara (black dry dates) is firmer and more deeply sweet, so the halwa turns darker and you may need less sugar. If you are unsure how the two differ, our guide on peela chuwara vs kala chuwara explains it, and chuwara vs khajoor covers why dry dates need soaking while fresh dates do not.
How Long Does Chuhare Ka Halwa Keep?
- Cool it fully, then store in a clean airtight box in the fridge.
- It usually stays good for 4 to 5 days as a general home guide; always check smell and taste before serving.
- Warm a portion in a pan with a teaspoon of milk to bring back the soft texture.
Leftover chuhare? See 7 everyday ways to eat chuwara, or try our no-sugar dry fruit ladoo.
Why Good Chuhare Make a Better Halwa
The halwa is mostly chuhare, so their quality shows in every spoon. Clean, well-sorted dates soak evenly and grind smooth, while dusty or over-dried ones stay leathery. ODM peela chuwara is carefully sorted and clean, with no artificial preservatives, and like all ODM products it is packed without artificial colours or fillers.
FAQ
What is chuhara called in English?
Chuhara is called dry dates or dried dates in English. It is the same fruit as khajoor (dates), dried until firm so it keeps longer.
Can I make chuhare ka halwa without sugar?
Yes. Chuhare are naturally sweet, so many families skip sugar completely or add just a spoon of jaggery. Taste the halwa once the milk is absorbed before deciding.
Can I skip soaking the chuhare overnight?
You can boil them in milk for 15 to 20 minutes until soft instead, but overnight soaking gives a smoother, more even halwa.
For a soft, golden halwa this winter, start with a pack of ODM Peela Chuwara and soak a handful tonight.