With tahini enjoying the spotlight this year as a major food trend, it’s no wonder that halvah, its sweet and candy-like cousin, has become a new “it” ingredient as well. If you’re unfamiliar, halvah is a sweet and nutty melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s commonly found in Israel and throughout the Middle East. In the US, people often buy it from Jewish delis and Middle Eastern markets, but it’s quite easy to make yourself!
In fact, you’re probably just a few ingredients away from having fresh halvah on your hands — all you need is high-quality tahini (made with nothing but sesame seeds), honey or sugar, and a candy thermometer. Sugar and honey act as a natural preservative, so you can keep it on hand for months to pair with coffee or tea, and add to your favorite desserts.
Here is a collection of some classic halvah recipes, and a few new ones to try:
Israeli Halvah Recipe
Greek Semolina Halvah
Indian Carrot Cardamom Halvah
Marbled Hazelnut and Chocolate Halvah from Following Breadcrumbs
Persian Halvah from My Persian Kitchen
Michael Solomonov’s Vanilla Lemon Halva, New York Times
Chocolate-Covered Almond Halvah from Food52
Wondering what to do with halvah now that you’ve made it? Check out these creative ways to bake with halvah:
Chocolate, Halvah and Tahini Swirl Buns
Chocolate Halva Donuts
Halva Swirl Brownies
Gluten-Free Tahini Halvah Brownies
Vegan Tahini Ice Cream with Pistachios and Cardamom Halvah Sauce from May I Have That Recipe
Halvah Stuffed Baked Apples form This Is How I Cook
