Delightful Mumbai Ice Halwa Recipe for Diwali Celebrations

This Diwali, surprise your guests with a unique sweet treat: Mumbai's famous Ice Halwa. Known for its delicate, crispy texture, this traditional dessert is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. In this article, you'll find a step-by-step guide to preparing Ice Halwa, along with a list of ingredients needed. Whether you're familiar with this delightful sweet or trying it for the first time, this recipe will surely add a special touch to your celebrations. Read on to learn how to create this mouthwatering dessert that melts in your mouth!

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 4, 2026, 20:08 IST

Celebrate Diwali with Unique Sweets

Diwali festivities would be incomplete without an array of sweets. Traditionally, people whip up treats like *besan ke ladoo*, *kaju katli*, *gulab jamun*, and *barfi*. However, if you're looking to impress your guests with something different this year, consider preparing the iconic 'Ice Halwa' from Mumbai. This dessert is famous for its delicate, crispy texture that melts in your mouth, and it can be easily made at home with just a few ingredients.

Known also as 'Mahim Halwa' or 'Paper Halwa', this sweet treat is a staple of Mumbai's culinary heritage. The name 'Ice Halwa' comes from its incredibly thin sheets that resemble ice layers, while 'Paper Halwa' refers to its paper-like consistency.

This dessert has strong ties to Mumbai, particularly the Mahim area, where many traditional sweet shops specialize in it. The main ingredients include milk, sugar, *ghee* (clarified butter), and cornflour, with almonds and pistachios added for extra flavor.

Ingredients for Ice Halwa

Ingredients for making Ice Halwa:

1 cup cornflour
2 cups sugar
2 cups milk
1/2 cup *ghee*
1 cup water
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
Chopped almonds and pistachios
Food-grade orange or yellow coloring (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Ice Halwa

How to make Mumbai-style Ice Halwa at home:
Start by mixing cornflour and water in a bowl until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. Then, incorporate the milk and sugar, whisking until well combined. If you want to achieve the traditional yellow or orange color, add a bit of food coloring. Next, transfer the mixture to a heavy-bottomed pan and cook on low to medium heat, stirring continuously. As it cooks, the mixture will thicken. Gradually add ghee while stirring to prevent sticking or lump formation.

When the mixture becomes translucent and glossy, pulling away from the pan's sides, add the cardamom powder and mix thoroughly. Remove from heat. Grease a flat tray or parchment paper with ghee and spread the mixture evenly in a thin layer.

Top with chopped almonds and pistachios, pressing them gently into the surface. Allow it to cool and set firmly. Finally, cut into squares or your preferred shapes. Your delightful Mumbai-style 'Ice Halwa' is ready to be enjoyed.

Enjoy Your Sweet Creation

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