Sugarfree Dates and Anjeer Halwa | Dates and Fig Pudding | Iron rich recipes

Sugarfree Anjeer Dates Halwa

Why Sugarfree?

As a family, w prefer Sugarfree sweets (especially those mildly sweet like a Rasmalai).Although we don’t have a pronounced sweet tooth, we prefer those which are easy to make without too much refined sugar - so dark chocolate definitely helps. 

 And this recipe from the versatile and my favourite cookbook author, Tarla Dalal helped me do just that  - Anjeer and Dates Halwa without a pinch of added sugar. I made my personal modifications and the family loved it.

Anjeer (Fig) and Dates are iron rich 

What's more ? Its so rich in Iron and Haemoglobin, and excellent for feeding moms too. I remember when I made this first, even my toddler had  liked it when I made little roundels of this halwa and fed her. Gosh, how the time has passed since last writing this post in 2014 (& updated now!!). She still has a sweet tooth, and thank god that some of these sweet nibbles are still welcomed at home.

FAQs to make the best Sugarfree Anjeer Dates Halwa:

1. Does this need to be sugarfree ? Nope, but dates and figs are already sweet, so no extra sugar is needed (or added)
2. Can I skip the ghee to make this halwa? Usually Halwa / Indian sweet puddings are made with ghee. You may want to use the small quantity mentioned in the recipe below
3. Can this be made with milk instead of milk powder? Milk increases the cooking time and the gloss on the halwa you see is due to the milk powder used. Milk therefore might alter the final output too.

Other Halwa recipes you might like on the blog:

• Beginner friendly Instant Bread Halwa (yes, you heard that right) 
• Karnataka famous Kashi Halwa (a.k.a Damrot)
• My grandma’s’ signature Elakkai Badam Paal Kesari 
• Badam Halwa (Almond Halwa)
• Microwave Gajar Halwa
• My mom’s recipe for the classic Gajar Halwa
• Gajar Halwa with Jaggery (yes!!)

Recipe Source : Tarla Dalal

Prep time : 10 mins | Cook time : 20 mins | Serving : 3

Cuisine : Indian; Course : Dessert

keeps for 1 week under refrigeration.

Ingredients to make Sugarfree Anjeer Dates Halwa:

• 100 grams Dried Figs (Anjeer) 
• 100 grams Dates (pitted, I used Mejdool dates) 
• 50 grams blanched and powdered almonds (reserve a few for garnish)
• 25 grams Black raisins
• ⅓ cup unsweetened milk powder (do not use Dairy Whitener) 
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder (Elaichi powder) 
• 2 tablespoon Clarified Butter (Ghee) 

Method to make Sugarfree Anjeer Dates Halwa:

1. In a large pan, add 2 cups of water. Bring to a rolling boil. Cook the figs, dates and raisins for 4-5 mins. Drain and puree them.
2. Heat ghee in a non stick pan, add the ghee and saute the powdered almonds for 2-3 mins
3. Add the puree, milk powder and on a very low flame stir till the ghee leaves the sides. 
4. For the quantity above, this will take about 15-20 mins.
5. Add the cardamom powder and mix well. 
6. Cool to room temperature and garnish with the reserved almond slivers.