Assyrian Halwa Recipe

Name: Assyrian Halwa Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup unsalted butter; 1½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup date molasses; 3 Tablespoons water

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Halwa is a delicious Assyrian treat made with roux and Date Molasses. This Halwa recipe is totally different from how Halva is usually prepared and in my humble opinion, way better! It's rich, sweet, and perfect with a cup of chai!

There are many different types of halva. Some have a texture similar to nougat and are made with Tahini Paste. While others are dry and brittle.

Some are dotted with nuts such as pistachios. Still, others are nut-free. There is even carrot halwa and semolina halwa. Assyrian Halwa has a smooth and creamy texture, somewhat similar to fudge, and does not usually contain any nuts.

Halwa is almost always served with hot tea or as we call it "chai." There is an Assyrian custom that when guests come to your home to pay their respects after a death in the family they are almost always served halwa with their tea.

This halwa recipe is also served at Assyrian churches. After church services, there is usually a time of fellowshipping where tea is served with sweets like halwa, kleiche, and Kadeh.

It is particularly served during times of fasting. This includes the 40-day fast leading up to Easter and the 25-day fast leading to Christmas.

Many Assyrians abstain from eating meat and dairy during these fasts. So instead of making halwa with butter, it is prepared with vegetable oil. There are some halwa recipes that use a combination of butter and oil.

Halwa is also served for special occasions, celebrations, and anytime you are entertaining guests.

Mom was known for her delicious halwa recipe. I had the pleasure of watching her prepare it and learned all her little tricks. Now I'm passing those tricks on to you!

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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
🛒 What You Need For This Recipe
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
🍯 How to Make This Halwa Recipe
🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
🍮 More Middle Eastern Dessert Recipes
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💬 Comments

😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe

This halwa recipe is a traditional recipe that all Assyrians should learn how to prepare!
Even if you're not Assyrian, you can make and enjoy this delicious treat.
This halwa recipe stores well. It can be refrigerated and enjoyed in moderation...if you can control yourself, haha.

🛒 What You Need For This Recipe

Halwa Recipe Ingredients including butter, flour, water, and date syrup.

🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions

Butter: I used unsalted butter for this halwa recipe, but ghee would be another great option.
Flour: All-purpose flour
Date Molasses: You can use grape molasses or date molasses. You can purchase either at most Middle Eastern markets or on Amazon.
Optional: Some optional ingredients that you can experiment with include rose water, cardamom, and nuts to garnish the finished halwa.

🍯 How to Make This Halwa Recipe

Step 1: In a heavy bottom saucepan, melt butter over low heat and bring to a boil. Simmer over low flame for approximately 5 minutes, being careful not to burn the butter.

Step 2: Gradually add flour, while stirring over medium heat for 5 additional minutes.

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Step 3: Continue to roast and stir the mixture over low heat until the it turns dark tan and has a nutty aroma. This should take approximately 20 minutes.

Pro Tip: If you love cardamom like I do, here's where you can add 1-2 teaspoons of cardamom powder, or to taste. This was not in my mom's halwa recipe but I just look for any opportunity to include cardamom in my recipes.

Step 4: Mix date molasses and water in a separate small saucepan and bring to a boil. Carefully pour the molasses into the roux (flour and butter mixture). Mix thoroughly until completely combined. There should be no streaks of light and dark colors. The halwa mixture should be a solid brown color.

Step 5: Transfer the halwa mixture into a loaf pan or other small dish. Press down firmly to pack the halwa using a spatula or the back of a wooden spoon. Slice into 1"-2" portions using a knife. Cool completely before serving.

pressing halwa in a pan with a pink spatula

Pro Tip: Here is another optional tip to take your halwa recipe to the next level. Garnish each cube with a toasted walnut halves, cashews, or a toasted almonds.

🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Why is Halwa served at funerals?

Assyrians serve Halwa on the 40th day after a loved one's death. It is also served on the one year anniversary. The sweet Halwa represents that the loved one is with Jesus. The Halwa is served with black Turkish coffee with no sugar which represents the bitterness of the loss.

Where did Halwa/Halva originate?

Halwa originated in the Middle East. It is enjoyed by many cultures including Assyrians, Jews, Turks, and Indians.

👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

I halved the original halwa recipe found in my cookbook to make a smaller batch, you can easily double the recipe.
The halwa should be approximately 1" thick. Use a pan that will allow you to achieve this thickness. If the pan is too large the halwa will not be thick enough.
If this halwa recipe doesn't come out as thick as you'd like, just reheat it briefly in the same saucepan then pour into a smaller pan or dish.
Halwa is usually even darker in color. I used homemade Date Molasses that was not as dark as store-bought molasses. If you want the color to be darker, use this Date Molasses.
Store halwa in an airtight container either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

halwa in a pink bowl with tea pot and other dishes

🍮 More Middle Eastern Dessert Recipes

If you enjoy this halwa recipe, be sure to try these other Middle Eastern sweets!

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