Homemade Halva With Natural Sweeteners

Halva (from the Arabic حَلَاوَة, halawa — “sweetness”) is a beloved Middle Eastern treat made by blending a nut, seed, or sesame paste with a whipped sugar syrup or whipped egg white/aquafaba base. It’s dense, slightly crumbly, and richly nutty — traditionally served in small slices alongside a cup of hot tea.

The simplest homemade version just calls for grinding roasted nuts in a blender and mixing them with honey; a pinch of ground vanilla adds extra aroma. But if you want to try the real thing — the halva of Arabian legend — AdmiGram.com has gathered a few recipes for making authentic halva at home.

Homemade Halva with Natural Sweeteners

Peanut Halva

© anastasiayami via Instagram

Ingredients:

• Roasted, peeled peanuts — 2 cups (300 g)
• Aquafaba — 3 tablespoons (45 ml)
• Honey — 1/2 cup (170 g / 120 ml)
• Peanut oil — 1 tablespoon (15 ml)

Directions:

1. In a blender, grind the roasted peanuts into a smooth paste.
2. Add the peanut oil — it adds aroma and helps the paste come together — and blend again. Transfer the paste to a separate bowl.
3. In another bowl, beat the aquafaba with a mixer until stiff peaks form.
4. Warm the honey slightly (a few seconds in the microwave works well) so it pours easily, then add it to the whipped aquafaba while continuing to beat.
5. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped aquafaba into the nut paste until just combined.
6. Spread the mixture onto a tray or into a mold, shaping it into a block. Let it dry, uncovered, at room temperature for 24 hours before slicing.

Flaxseed and Pumpkin Seed Halva

© mariia_turnova via Instagram

Ingredients:

• Roasted, peeled pumpkin seeds — 1 cup (140 g)
• Lightly roasted flaxseeds — 1 cup (150 g)
• Maple syrup — 1 cup (320 g / 240 ml)
• Cinnamon — 1/2 teaspoon (2 g)

Directions:

1. In a blender, grind the roasted seeds into a paste, adding the cinnamon toward the end.
2. With the blender or mixer still running, gradually pour in the maple syrup and beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Roll the mixture out into an even layer on a lined tray or shape it by hand.
4. Freeze overnight.
5. The next morning, slice into pieces and store in the refrigerator.

Fruit Halva

© nashe.maslo via Instagram

Ingredients:

• Roasted, peeled peanuts — 1 cup (150 g)
• Roasted, peeled sunflower seeds — 1 cup (140 g)
• Lightly roasted pistachios — 1 cup (120 g)
• Fruit jam (apricot, pear, cherry, kiwi, or your choice) — 1 cup (320 g)
• Cinnamon, cocoa, or nutmeg — to taste

Directions:

1. Grind the nuts and seeds into separate pastes.
2. Divide each paste in half, so you end up with six portions total.
3. Stir a different jam (and, if you like, a spice) into each portion so the layers will look and taste distinct once assembled.
4. Layer the portions in a mold or loaf pan, pressing gently to remove air pockets, and shape into a block.
5. Freeze overnight.
6. The next morning, slice into pieces and store in the refrigerator.

image on top: anastasiayami via Instagram