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What is Kada prasad / Karah prasad / Gurudwara Kadha prashad?
Karah Prasad, considered a sacred food by Sikhs worldwide, is prepared as an offering in Gurudwaras using wheat flour, desi ghee, and sugar. Karah Prasad is then distributed in the form of prashad to all the devotees at the gurdwara. Kada prasad recipe ratio is 1:1:1 - an equal portion of ghee, wheat, and sugar to show the equality between men and women. During the preparation of this prasad halwa, prayers and hymns (shabads) are recited to fill the prasad with spiritual blessings. Once the kada prasad halwa is ready, it is offered to the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of Sikhism) as an indication of devotion and gratitude. It is distributed to devotees, which means sharing the blessings.
What is Karkala cake or Wheat halwa?
Karkala is a small town in the Udupi district of Karnataka, and I proudly belong to this town. I grew up eating this gova cake (aate ka halwa or godhumai halwa), but only a few years back, I learned that this sweet is known as Karkala cake. Karkala cake is prepared during festivals, functions, or special occasions in my hometown. Guests at these events would fall in love with this sweet and try replicating it during events in their hometown, and thus, this sweet is lovingly and popularly referred to as Karkala cake. Since I have started blogging, I have learned a lot apart from cooking. Before writing anything here, I try to get as much information about the recipe as possible. If this sweet is popularly known as Karkala cake in the coastal region of Karnataka. In North India, this halwa dessert is popularly known as the golden temple prasad, Gurudwara ka kada prasad, kada parshad, or atte ka halwa. In English, this is called wheat halwa or Indian pudding dessert or wheat cake.
Ingredients
To make an atta ka halwa or gurudwara style wheat halwa(kad prasad) recipe, you need only three ingredients - homemade desi ghee, wheat flour (atta), and sugar. Nuts and flavoring like cardamom powder are optional, but adding it will only enhance the flavor of this Indian sweet. See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Add ghee to a non-stick pan. To this, add cashews and roast just until it becomes light. It will turn golden brown when you continue to roast it with atta (wheat flour) in the next step. Meanwhile, keep the water for boiling on a medium flame in another pot.
Tips
To make the healthy version of halwa, you can add 2 to 4 tbsp of ghee only. But you will miss the richness and flavor. The traditional kada prasad or atta halwa recipe ratio is 1:1:1 amount of ghee:sugar:atta or flour. Adding nuts is optional. If you like the crunch, add almonds, more of cashews, and raisins. To make the best halwa sweet, always use good quality ingredients. Do not be in a rush while roasting wheat flour or atta. Roast it on a medium-low flame until it turns golden brown and gives a nutty aroma. Keep stirring. Once you add water, stir or use a whisk if you are a beginner to prevent lumps from forming. The traditional and authentic version of aate ka halwa sweet is made without milk.
Storage suggestions
Nothing can beat the flavor and the taste of hot and fresh halwa. But you can make this dessert and keep it in an airtight conatiner at room temperature for two days. In refrigerator for seven days. Just before serving, warm it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.
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Recipe card
This Indian sweet on gurdwara style kada prasad or atta halwa (karkala cake) was first published in April 2022. Updates with more information, new pictures, and details.
