Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Flour Halawa Halva, a classic Middle Eastern dessert that’s as simple as it is satisfying. This recipe combines pantry staples like all-purpose flour, butter, and sugar to create a lusciously smooth sweet treat with a nutty undertone and a hint of fragrant cardamom. The golden roux is carefully simmered and infused with a lightly sweetened syrup, achieving a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s incredibly soothing. Garnished with toasted almonds or pistachios for a delightful crunch, this halva is perfect for festive celebrations or as a cozy homemade dessert. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe sure to impress.
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water to create a simple syrup. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large non-stick skillet or pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the flour to the melted butter and stir continuously with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to eliminate lumps. Cook the flour-butter mixture (known as the roux) over medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes or until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn the mixture; stir constantly to prevent sticking.
Gradually add the prepared sugar syrup to the roux, one ladle at a time, stirring vigorously to combine. The mixture will bubble and thicken quickly, so make sure to stir constantly.
Once all the syrup is incorporated, add the cardamom powder and continue stirring until the halawa comes together into a smooth mass and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Remove from heat and transfer the halawa to a lightly greased serving dish. Smooth the surface with a spatula.
Garnish with blanched almonds or pistachios, if desired, and let the halawa cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Calories |
2156 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 106.4 g | 136% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.8 g | 284% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 28 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 295.3 g | 107% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.5 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 200.5 g | ||
| Protein | 17.0 g | 34% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 108 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 6.5 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 292 mg | 6% | |
*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.