These Homemade Halvah Bars (aka Tahini Candy) are a delicious, nutritious, all-natural, no-bake treat.
Homemade Halvah Bars
Have you ever heard of halvah bars? I had not until a couple of years ago. We were in a natural health food store in Bar Harbor, Maine loading up on some snacks to eat on our hikes.
Halvah has been around for thousands of years, dating back 3,000 years as a candy treat.
My husband grabbed a couple of these bars to try and we LOVED them. They are incredible mix of creamy, crunchy sesame, vanilla, and chocolate. When you take the first bite, it is a crunchy, slightly chalky texture that immediately turns into creamy deliciousness.
The next day we went back to get several more. And before we left for home, we grabbed even more! But unfortunately when we got home we couldn’t find them anywhere!
A few weeks ago, hubby had a craving all of the sudden for some Halvah and decided it was time to experiment making our own.
They are made with just sesame butter (tahini), honey, vanilla and any nuts you would want to add. (and of course a little chocolate if you wish).
We simply bought a jar of tahini at Trader Joe’s to use instead of grounding our own sesame seeds. They turned out amazing!! We literally can not get over how close to the bars these taste. We are almost claiming they are better!
Our first batch we added pistachio’s and melted dark chocolate topping. Oh my! Our second batch we made with sliced almonds and no chocolate.
Homemade Halvah Ingredients
1 cup of tahini
1/2 cup of honey
1 tsp of vanilla
1/4 cup of nut of choice, chopped
How to Make Homemade Halvah
Line a baking dish with parchment paper or oil lightly.
Add honey to a saucepan and heat on medium high until it reaches 240 degrees F. (use a thermometer)
Allow the honey to cool slightly and then add vanilla and nuts.
Gently add in the tahini and stir until combined.
Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and allow to cool completely.
Place in the refrigerator for up to 12-24 hours to completely set and crystallize fully.
Cut the halvah into bars and serve at room temperature.
ENJOY!!
Homemade Halvah Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup tahini
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup nut of choice chopped
Instructions
- Line a baking dish with parchment paper or oil lightly.
- Add honey to a saucepan and heat on medium high until it reaches 240 degrees F. (use a thermometer)
- Allow the honey to cool slightly and then add vanilla and nuts.
- Gently add in the tahini and stir until combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and allow to cool completely.
- Place in the refrigerator for up to 12-24 hours to completely set and crystallize fully.
- Cut the halvah into bars and serve at room temperature.
- ENJOY!!
Nutrition
Wanda says
Hello, I made the bars according to your directions, but the bars didn’t get hard. They were more like soft fudge. I really would like to make them again. I’m wondering if I should boil the honey at 240’ longher. Do you know what might have gone wrong? Please and thank you!
Wanda
Sherri says
Hi there! Yes, it will have more of a fudge consistency if your honey doesn’t reach the 240 degrees. The art of candy making 🙂
CToth says
A++ This is very good. Followed your recipe, added chopped almonds, drizzled with a little chocolate… excellent! I also liked it without the chocolate. Thank you for an easy healthy recipe.
Anni Long says
I LOVE halvah, but need a sugar free version. Well, YOUR recipe works perfectly with Wax Orchards “Fruit Sweet,” a light syrupy concentrate of pear and pineapple juices that tastes almost like honey. I just substituted the same amount for the honey and it is PERFECTION. Thanks a million!
diane says
If you are adding chocolate to the top should you put it on when the mixture comes out of the pot and before it cools completly?
Wendy says
Your halvah bars look great! I have made halvah several times in a large loaf shape and I am excited to try your bar method! Homemade IS so much better than the packaged varieties. Reading about your not being able to find halvah in the stores made me curious where you were looking. Halvah by the brand Joyva is readily available in the kosher foods section of most supermarkets. My extended family lives in SC and its even available there!
Miz Helen says
Your Halvah Bars look delicious! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday today. Have a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
swathi says
Delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning.
Becky Striepe says
This looks so amazing! I used to love halvah before I went vegan. I’ll have to try making this with agave nectar in place of honey. It would be great to have this back in my life!
Michelle says
Trying this soon! Pinned Thanks for the recipe!
Michelle
Carlee says
YUM! I have to give these a try!