Hazelnut and Honey Halva
This luscious dessert is a snap to make and has just six ingredients. Smooth and velvety, reminiscent of the halva you’d find in Middle Eastern markets, this version gets its unique flavor from the toasty warmth of hazelnuts. The honey provides the perfect amount of sweetness, while the cinnamon and cardamom add a subtle layer of complexity. Make this the next time you have a sweet tooth—it’s sure to satisfy!
Halva is a confection made from nuts and honey. It is believed to have originated in Persia, and has been enjoyed in the Middle East and Mediterranean for centuries. The word “halva” comes from the Arabic word “hulw,” which means “sweet.” Our recipe for Hazelnut and Honey Halva is inspired by the classic Persian recipe. We use tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds, as the base of our halva. Tahini gives halva its smooth and creamy texture. We also add honey to our halva, which provides sweetness and a lovely golden color. The hazelnuts in our halva add a lovely toasty flavor and a bit of crunch. To make our halva, we simply combine the tahini, honey, hazelnuts, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and well combined. We then pour the mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish and smooth the top. The halva is then refrigerated for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before cutting into squares and serving. Our Hazelnut and Honey Halva is a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion.
Hazelnut and Honey Halva Hazelnut and Honey Halva Hazelnut and Honey Halva Hazelnut and Honey Halva
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 cup tahini
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the tahini and honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the hazelnuts, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Pour the mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish and smooth the top.
  3. Refrigerate the halva for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Cut into squares and serve.
Why It Works
  • The combination of tahini and honey creates a smooth and velvety texture.
  • The hazelnuts add a lovely toasty flavor and a bit of crunch.
  • The cinnamon and cardamom add a subtle layer of complexity.
  • The halva is easy to make and can be made with just six ingredients.
  • The halva can be refrigerated for up to a week.