Almond Halva

Halva is a fudge-like treat made with tahini, a creamy spread made from ground sesame seeds. It’s a popular dessert in many parts of the world, often displayed in large bricks in open markets, ready to be sliced for eager customers. It’s decadently rich, so it’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
minimum 12 hours (preferably up to 24 hours) chilling/developing time
Servings
  • ¾ cup (107 g) whole almonds, toasted and roughly chopped, divided ¾ cup (107 g) whole almonds, toasted and roughly chopped, divided
  • 3 tbsp (28 g) sesame seeds (white, black, or a mix), toasted, divided 3 tbsp (28 g) sesame seeds (white, black, or a mix), toasted, divided
  • 1 cup (200 g) Redpath® Granulated Sugar 1 cup (200 g) Redpath® Granulated Sugar
  • ½ cup (109 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar ½ cup (109 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar
  • ½ cup (125 ml) water ½ cup (125 ml) water
  • ½ tsp (3 g) salt ½ tsp (3 g) salt
  • 1 cup (250 ml / 241 g) tahini, well stirred 1 cup (250 ml / 241 g) tahini, well stirred
  • ½ cup (125 ml / 126 g) natural almond butter, well stirred ½ cup (125 ml / 126 g) natural almond butter, well stirred
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Loaf pan (8½ x 4½ inches) Loaf pan (8½ x 4½ inches)
  • Parchment paper Parchment paper
  • Small bowl Small bowl
  • Heavy bottomed saucepan Heavy bottomed saucepan
  • Measuring cups and measuring spoons Measuring cups and measuring spoons
  • Liquid measuring cup Liquid measuring cup
  • Large heatproof bowl Large heatproof bowl
  • Medium saucepan Medium saucepan
  • Large heatproof rubber spatulas Large heatproof rubber spatulas
  • Candy or food thermometer Candy or food thermometer

Instructions

Step 1

Grease and line an 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides for easy unmoulding.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together ¼ cup (36 grams) of the chopped almonds and 1 tablespoon (9 grams) of the sesame seeds. Set aside.

Step 3

In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the Redpath® Granulated Sugar, the Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, water, and salt. Place on medium-low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved and mixture has no sandy feel to it. Increase temperature to medium and stir until it just begins to boil. Do not stir at this point. Clip or insert a thermometer into the sugar mixture, making sure that the thermometer does not touch the bottom of the pan for an accurate reading. Cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 250°F (121°C). This is known as the hard ball stage – a spoonful of the sugar mixture dropped into cold water should harden enough to form into a hard ball that gives slightly under pressure.

Step 4

While the sugar syrup is slowly reaching the hard ball stage, place a medium-size saucepan with about 2 inches of water onto medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Decrease temperature to low so the water is just barely simmering.

Step 5

In a large, heatproof bowl, combine the tahini, almond butter, and vanilla extract. Place the bowl over the pot of hot water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the surface of the water, and stir until thoroughly combined and warmed through. Stir in the remaining ½ cup (71 grams) of almonds and the remaining sesame seeds. Keep warm, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

When the sugar syrup is a few degrees below 250°F (121°C), carefully remove the bowl of tahini from the pot, wiping the moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Once the sugar syrup comes to the correct temperature, immediately remove from heat. If you can, gradually stream the sugar syrup into the tahini mixture with one hand while continually stirring with a heatproof spatula with the other. Or, if you have a partner, have one person stream the sugar syrup into the bowl while the other person stirs it in. Stir until mixture just begins to pull away from the bowl (about 30 seconds); do not overmix, or the mixture will become crumbly.

Step 7
Step 8

Once ready and set, remove halva with the help of the parchment paper overhangs. With a sharp chef’s knife, cut into slices or slice as desired. 

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Slices of almond halva on a bed of raw almonds

Chef's Tip

*Ensure the tahini and almond butter are at room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.

*If using a regular food thermometer that doesn’t clip to the side of the pan, ensure that every time you remove the thermometer from the sugar syrup, you remove any sugar crystals attached. Reintroducing sugar crystals to the mixture will encourage the sugar syrup to crystallize.

*Place a damp kitchen towel or rag under the bowl of tahini when gradually streaming in the hot syrup. This helps the bowl from moving or tipping when stirring. 

*Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar can be used interchangeably with the Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar. The resulting halva will be slightly paler in colour and have more subtle caramel undertones.

*The “foamy” texture of professionally-made halva is due to the addition of saponaria extract that is not readily available in supermarkets. This halva will have a denser texture. 

*Letting the halva chill in the fridge for longer helps the crystalline texture develop.

*Pair halva with a strong cup of coffee or black tea. The bitterness of the coffee or tea will offset the sweetness of the halva.

*For a different way to enjoy halva, crumble halva over ice cream, granola, or warm toast.