Turkish wheat halwa is an easy 4 ingredient recipe that is well known throughout the Middle East countires as well. In fact, this recipe goes with a special name in Egypt " sad el hanak". One of the oldest dessert recipes in the region.
Another type or halwa/halva is the tahini halva, rich and decadent dessert/breakfast item.
Ingredients
For this wheat halwa I am using all purpose flour. Some people also use semolina, while others use whole wheat flour too.
Directions:
- In a bowl dissolve sugar in water or milk.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt ghee, add nuts or sesame seeds if using to toast a bit. Add flour.
- Stir flour until it is golden.
- Pour the sugar mixture over and keep whisking until a smooth paste forms.
Tips and variations
- Egyptians are used to make this dessert with all purpose flour, many other nationalities make it with whole wheat flour or semolina.
- you can use butter but ghee is more traditional to the Egyptian kitchen and it gives a great flavor.
- You can flavor the liquid with cinnamon, cardamom, orange blossom water or rose water if desired.
- Try it with almond flour, sugar substitute and any sort of milk you like for a low carb option.
Flour what halwa
Do your taste buds a favor and taste this dessert once in your life. Ghee lends this dish a heavenly nice buttery flavor, sweetened to your taste, very easy to make, all ingredients are probably in your pantry.. in just two word this is a perfect easy dessert.
I think this dessert is as old as the Mediterranean itself, really it is so old , the kind that great great grandmothers used to make. I've seen my grandmother make it once and never seen my mom making it !!.
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Turkish Halwa (sad el hank)
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons ghee Note1
- 4 Tablespoons sugar
- 6 Tablespoons all purpose flour Note2
- 4 Tablespoons water/milk Note3
- Nuts of choice or sesame seeds optional.
Instructions
- In a bowl dissolve sugar in water or milk. Note4
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt ghee, add nuts or sesame seeds if using to toast a bit.
- Whisk in flour until it is golden.
- Pour the sugar mixture over and keep whisking until a smooth paste forms.
- Scoop into bowls or form in any shape you like, garnish with some more nuts or sesame seeds.
This sounds so interesting! Do you serve it still warm or cooled?
It is usually eaten in winter days in Egypt hence served hot or warm. But I've made it a couple of days ago and served it room temperature.
Sounds easy and delish. Tx. Have you ever eaten mefataa? My friends grandma made it. Guey and nutty and sweet. My mother or grandma never made it. Somehow i remember she had to buy something from the attar.
Oh Simone, I have seen meftaa in stores in Egypt too. I have never made it myself and I remember tasting it only once when I was a little kid as my mom hopelessly was trying to make me gain weight :)))). Aaand guess what? I am trying to do the same with my kiddos as they are shamefully skinny hehehe.
I've made this three times and it's very, very good, super easy and quick to make; the good thing is that you can add whatever you want to the recipe, depending on what you like (flavors, textures, nuts...)
Thank you Stephanie, I am happy you liked it. I always encourage my readers to play with recipes to their own liking.. it is amazing what you guys come up with.
I am always inspired to try new desserts - and this sounds tasty! I'm in!
How interesting this dessert...I have never had anything like it...sounds very tasty.
Have a great week Amira 🙂