Ingredients
1 1/2 c. tahini
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/3 c. water
1/2 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract)
3/4 c. toasted pistachios
1/2 tsp. cardamom
3 oz. roughly chopped chocolate
1/4 c. strong coffee
Preparation
Step 1Line a 8”-x-8” pan with parchment paper. Place tahini and salt in a large bowl. Place a kitchen towel under the bowl — this will help when stirring. Step 2In a medium pot over medium heat, combine sugar, water, and vanilla bean seeds. If you are using vanilla extract, add it to the tahini mixture. Give it a stir, then without stirring, bring mixture to 245°. Use a wet pastry brush to wipe down sides of pan as sugar crystals form. Step 3Once mixture is heated to 245°, carefully and slowly pour syrup into tahini mixture while stirring and continue to stir until fully combined and mixture thickens. Careful to not over mix after it thickens or your halva will be too crumbly. Step 4Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth top. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours.
Step 1Add cardamom to tahini mixture. After adding sugar mixture to tahini, stir in ½ cup of pistachios. Step 2Pour mixture into prepared pan top with remaining ¼ cup pistachios, pressing them in and refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours.
Step 1After stirring in sugar mixture to tahini, add chocolate to bowl and let sit for 30 seconds. Gently stir in chocolate leaving streaks. Step 2Pour into prepared pan and refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours.
Step 1Add coffee to tahini with salt and stir until combined. Step 2Heat and add sugar mixture as directed.
Many different flavors of halva exist and most anything can be stirred into tahini mixture for fun different variations. We provided a base recipe, which is great as, plus ways to change it up and make chocolate, coffee, or pistachio halva. Good luck picking your favorite! Looking for a savory tahini dish? Try our roasted garlic hummus! Which version did you make? Let us know in the comments below!
