Halawa Tahiniya (Sesame Halva)

Indulge in the rich, nutty flavors of Halawa Tahiniya, a traditional sesame halva recipe that’s as simple to make as it is irresistibly delicious. This Middle Eastern treat combines creamy tahini, a homemade sugar syrup, and aromatic touches of vanilla and rose water for a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth texture. With only 25 minutes of active preparation and the option to fold in crunchy pistachios or almonds, this vegan and gluten-free dessert is perfect for satisfying sweet cravings or impressing guests with an authentic cultural delicacy. Serve it as a standalone dessert, pair it with coffee, or gift it beautifully wrapped for a thoughtful homemade treat!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 300 grams Tahini (sesame paste)
• 200 grams Granulated sugar
• 100 milliliters Water
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Rose water
• 50 grams Nuts (optional, such as pistachios or almonds)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare a loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper, allowing some excess paper to hang over the edges for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar and water. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 3

Add the lemon juice to the sugar syrup. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue boiling without stirring until the syrup reaches the firm-ball stage (approximately 245°F or 118°C on a candy thermometer).

Step 4

Meanwhile, whisk the tahini in a large mixing bowl until smooth. You can use a spoon or whisk to ensure it's well-mixed and free of lumps.

Step 5

Once the sugar syrup reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the heat and let it sit for a minute to allow any bubbles to settle.

Step 6

Pour the hot syrup slowly into the tahini, whisking constantly to ensure even mixing. Add the vanilla extract and rose water, and continue to mix until the halva begins to thicken and forms a smooth, homogenous mixture.

Step 7

If you're using nuts, fold them into the halva mixture gently.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press down gently with a spatula to smooth the top and ensure even distribution.

Step 9

Allow the halva to cool at room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until it is firm enough to slice.

Step 10

Once set, use the parchment paper to lift the halva out of the pan. Slice the halva into pieces and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(665.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2840.7

Total Fat 187.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 343.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 275.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.4g	0%
Total Sugars 204.4g
Protein 62.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1340.6mg	0%
Iron 27.8mg	0%
Potassium 1611.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.4%

Protein: 8.3%

Carbs: 36.3%