Gajar Halwa Cheesecake Jars {Easy Indian Fusion Dessert}

Since so many of you have asked for easy-to-make desserts for festive celebrations, I’m excited to share this recipe just in time for Diwali! It’s my go-to dessert when hosting Indian Parties and is perfect for potlucks, as it looks stunning and the individual serving cups are both convenient and adorable. Enjoy the festive flavors in every bite!

These dessert jars are not only visually stunning but also packed with flavors. Each bite delivers a delicious balance of textures—from the crunchy graham cracker crust to the velvety cheesecake filling, all the way to the moist layers of carrot halwa.

The individual servings make them ideal for entertaining, and they’re perfect for make-ahead desserts that you can simply pull out of the fridge and serve. Plus, they’re easy to make with my make-ahead homemade Gajar ka Halwa, or you can use a good-quality store-bought version for convenience!

If you're a fan of easy and fun fusion Indian desserts, don’t miss my Gujiya Bites and Rice Kheer with Berry Compote—they’re just as delicious and perfect for your sweet cravings!

Ingredients

Note: A recipe card with exact ingredient measurements and instructions is available at the end of this post. The ingredient photo and details included here are just to give you a clear visual reference of what you’ll need for the recipe, ensuring you know exactly what to gather before you start.

• Gajar Halwa: Whether homemade or store-bought, this rich and flavorful carrot halwa is the base of this easy fusion dessert, full of the goodness of carrots and milk.
• Graham Crackers & Butter: Crushed graham crackers mixed with melted butter form a delicious, buttery crumb layer that adds the perfect crunch.
• Cream Cheese: Smooth and tangy, it creates a luscious cheesecake layer that pairs beautifully with the sweet Gajar halwa.
• Heavy Cream: Whipped to light and fluffy perfection, it adds an airy texture to the cheesecake layer.
• Cardamom: A pinch of cardamom gives the dessert an aromatic, warm flavor to the cream cheese filling
• Pistachios: Chopped pistachios bring a delightful crunch and vibrant green color, perfect for garnishing and adding texture.

How to Make Carrot Halwa Cheesecake Jars

• Place the graham crackers in a ziplock bag and crush them into fine crumbs using the back of a wooden spatula.
• Add the melted butter to the crumbs and mix well until combined.

• In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese. Add powdered sugar and cardamom powder.
• Add chilled heavy cream. Use a hand mixer to beat the mixture until it's smooth and creamy.

• Divide the crumb mixture evenly between 6 (5 oz) jars, pressing down with the back of a spoon to form the base.
• Spoon or pipe a layer of cheesecake mixture over the graham cracker crust in each jar.
• Next, add a generous layer of Gajar Halwa on top of the cheesecake.
• Add another layer of the cheesecake mixture followed by a layer of Gajar Halwa. Garnish with sliced pistachios and rose petals

Serving

• Refrigerate the jars for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy.