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What is Halvah?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Halvah is a Middle Eastern confection which is also widely made in the Balkans. A number of variants of halvah are made, but the primary recipe includes a seed, nut, or grain, ground with a sweetener such as honey or brown sugar, and flavored with additions of ingredients such as rose water, saffron, dried fruit, or nuts. Halvah is a popular sweet treat across the Middle East, and it often appears at banquets and ceremonial occasions.

The word for halvah comes from an Arabic word hulw, meaning “sweet.” Some versions of halvah are so strongly sweetened that they can be almost painful to eat, while other variations are more moderately sweetened. Each cook has variations on the traditional halvah recipe used in his or her part of the world, and a myriad of flavor combinations are considered acceptable.

Halvah is typically sweetened with honey.
Halvah is typically sweetened with honey.

Many people are familiar with sesame halvah, which is made in the Balkans and Turkey. Sesame halvah is made with a base of tahini, mixed with honey and kneaded into a tacky dough which is allowed to set before being cut and served, or wrapped. Some cooks split the dough in half and mix half with cocoa before mixing it back in, creating a rich marbled chocolate sesame halvah. Others may roll the dough in pistachios, other nuts, or dried fruit.

Halvah is a popular treat across the Middle East.
Halvah is a popular treat across the Middle East.

In India and neighboring countries, many cooks make halvah with crushed semolina wheat. The wheat is mixed with honey and butter or oil and kneaded into a dough before dried fruit or nuts are added. This halvah has a different texture than sesame halvah, and tends to be more like a rich pudding. Other variations on halvah are also made with other seeds, such as sunflower seeds, or vegetable ingredients like carrots and pumpkin.

Crushed semolina wheat may be used to make halvah.
Crushed semolina wheat may be used to make halvah.

To make a simple sesame halvah, warm two cups of honey to approximately 240 degrees Fahrenheit (115 degress Celsius), until it reaches the soft ball stage, meaning that a spoonful of the syrup dropped into cold water will form a soft ball, which will flatten out if removed. Stir one and a half cups of tahini thoroughly to integrate excess oil which may have floated to the top, and warm it to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius).

Some halvah recipes call for both fruit and nuts.
Some halvah recipes call for both fruit and nuts.

Fold the tahini into the honey mixture, and turn the warm mass out onto an oiled board to knead it. Kneading will give the halvah a light, flaky texture. When the mass is well kneaded, press it into an oiled pan to set, and allow it to cool completely before cutting. If you want to add nuts or other flavorings, mix them in with the honey before adding the tahini.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon265425

I usually can't stand this treat, but about twice a year I buy this vanilla halva. It's crazy, but I cannot stop doing this.

anon60952

When I went to school as a kid my parents would buy Halvah and our school friends referred to it as sweet sawdust. I still enjoy it on special occasions.

anon58573

you can buy havah @ john brooks supermarket in albuquerque, nm

anon57927

In the late 40s and early 50s was a trip to the corner mom and pop store with 25 cents in Philly, to buy my halvah bar. Due to the fact I thought it was spelled "Halvah" I could never find it. I have lived in NM now for over 40 years and they have no such thing. Ahhhhh. How I miss it. --Katie

sputnik

When I first tried halvah, it tasted fine, but nothing I felt I have to have again, however, after tasting it a few times, I really started to like it. It is a very nice treat. I bought some vanilla, and marbled halvah at a deli section of a supermarket that carries ethnic food.

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    • Halvah is typically sweetened with honey.
      By: Jaimie Duplass
      Halvah is typically sweetened with honey.
    • Halvah is a popular treat across the Middle East.
      By: TRITOOTH
      Halvah is a popular treat across the Middle East.
    • Crushed semolina wheat may be used to make halvah.
      By: womue
      Crushed semolina wheat may be used to make halvah.
    • Some halvah recipes call for both fruit and nuts.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      Some halvah recipes call for both fruit and nuts.