By Tammy Israel @saladsnsweets
Ingredients
1 and 1/3 cups Mighty Sesame Co. Tahini (about 1 bottle)
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
1 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup of water
Pinch of salt
Directions
- Mix the tahini with the vanilla bean paste and salt; set aside in a bowl.
- In a pot, bring the water and sugar to a boil, stirring occasionally. Heat to 150°F on a candy thermometer.
- Once the temperature reaches 150°F, slowly pour the syrup into the tahini mixture and stir just until it comes together, about 30 seconds. Do not over-mix.
- Pour into a 9x5-inch parchment-lined loaf pan.
- Refrigerate overnight.
- Cut into squares or bars.
If you are craving a classic candy-shop treat? This homemade halva recipe is simple, reliable, and irresistibly nutty. Your halva with tahini as the base gives you that melt‑in‑the‑mouth crumble and rich sesame flavor at home.
What Makes this Tahini Halva Recipe Great
This halva recipe delivers bakery‑style texture with minimal fuss: deep sesame flavor, tender crumble, and clean, plant‑based ingredients. Starting with Mighty Sesame tahini, you skip jar scraping—just shake, squeeze, and stir. It sets overnight, slices cleanly, and packs beautifully for gifting, snacking, or topping yogurt and fruit.
Storage & leftovers
Once your halva sets, wrap the loaf tightly in parchment, then seal it in an airtight container. For best texture, store at cool room temperature up to 1 week; refrigerate up to 3-4 weeks to extend freshness (the crumb firms slightly).
To serve, let slices stand for 10 minutes to soften. If your halva recipe includes nuts or chocolate swirls, keep it chilled in warmer climates. This halva with tahini treat also freezes well: wrap, then freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and slice while cold for the cleanest cuts.
Find Mighty Sesame near you
Ready to make a batch of halva? Use our store locator to find Mighty Sesame near you—grab a squeeze bottle and set halva the easy way
FAQs about This Halva Recipe
Traditional tahini halva is made from sesame paste (tahini) and a hot sugar syrup. Many home versions add vanilla, pistachios, or chocolate. This recipe uses tahini, sugar, water, vanilla, and a pinch of salt for a classic, tender crumble.
Tahini halva is a Middle Eastern sesame confection made by emulsifying tahini with a hot sugar syrup. It sets into a sliceable, fudge‑like candy with a delicate, slightly crumbly texture and deep roasted‑sesame flavor.
Serve thick slices with coffee or tea, crumble over yogurt or oatmeal, fold chunks into brownie batter or cookie dough, or shave over ice cream. It’s also great on fruit platters and makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
Halva is energy‑dense because it contains sugar, but tahini brings plant‑based fats, a little protein, and minerals like calcium and iron. Enjoy in small portions as a treat. (This is general information and not medical advice.)
