Halva: A Middle Eastern Sesame Candy Recipe

Recipe By The Spruce Eats

Halva is probably the quintessential favorite candy dessert in the middle east. The recipe, however, can vary greatly from region to region and country to country. For the most part, it is a dense, sweet confection and the two most common variations are flour-based halva and a nut and seed-based halva. Halva with flour is often more gelatinous, whereas the nut and seed butter halva tends to be drier, with a more crumbly texture. The most typical nut and seed base is made from sesame seed paste, or tahini, which is combined with sugar or honey and heavy cream. Then, it can be either flavored with vanilla or with bits of chocolate swirled throughout to create a marbled effect. It also often includes bits of pistachios. In the united states, halva is often sold pre-packaged in specialty stores or in freshly made blocks in gourmet and food stores specializing in middle eastern cuisine. In the middle east, however, the candy is more likely to be homemade. The flour-based recipe, commonly found in iran, greece, turkey, india, afghanistan, and pakistan, uses semolina, butter, and sugar. It's often flavored with spices such as saffron and aromatics such as rosewater. Cornstarch is sometimes used in the greek version. Nut-based halva is common in cyprus, egypt, israel, iraq, lebanon, and syria, but it's almost always made with sesame seeds. Sunflower seed versions, however, are popular in eastern european countries. Tahini-based halva is the one most commonly sold in the united states. In addition to being a delicious confection on its own, the halva candy makes a delicious base for a batch of chocolate brownies, an ingredient in chocolate chip cookies, or as the flavoring in homemade ice cream. The recipe below uses flour. It's rich and sweet and very aromatic from the addition of rosewater and saffron. Halva is great on its own, but even better when enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea after a meal.

4.4
12 Rating -
Rate
Vegdiet
20minstotal
5minsPrep
15minsCook
20m.total
5m.Prep
15m.Cook
Halva: A Middle Eastern Sesame Candy
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ingredients serve

Ingredients for Halva: A Middle Eastern Sesame Candy Recipe

  • 0.13 cup Granulated sugar
  • 0.06 cup Water
  • 0.03 cup Rosewater
  • 0.06 teaspoon 4 to 6 saffron threads ground saffron
  • 2 tablespoon Unsalted butter
Nutrition
value
135
calories per serving
6 g Fat2 g Protein18 g Carbs3 g FiberOther

Current Totals

  • Fat
    6g
  • Protein
    2g
  • Carbs
    18g
  • Fiber
    3g

MacroNutrients

  • Carbs
    18g
  • Protein
    2g
  • Fiber
    3g

Fats

  • Fat
    6g

Vitamins & Minerals

  • Calcium
    23mg
  • Iron
    < 1mg
  • Vitamin A
    2mcg
  • Vitamin B1
    < 1mg
  • Vitamin B2
    < 1mg
  • Vitamin B3
    < 1mg
  • Vitamin B6
    < 1mg
  • Vitamin B9
    15mcg
  • Vitamin B12
    < 1mcg
  • Vitamin C
    3mg
  • Vitamin E
    < 1mg
  • Copper
    < 1mcg
  • Magnesium
    15mg
  • Manganese
    < 1mg
  • Phosphorus
    38mg
  • Selenium
    5mcg
  • Zinc
    < 1mg
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All nutritional information presented are estimates and not meant to substitute professional dietary advice or treatment
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Recipe By The Spruce Eats