Five-Ingredient Matcha Halva (Printable Version)
A modern fusion twist blending nutty tahini with earthy matcha for a delicate, crumbly sweet.
# What You Need:
→ Base
01 - 1 cup tahini, well-stirred and unsweetened
02 - ½ cup granulated sugar
→ Flavor
03 - 2 teaspoons culinary grade matcha green tea powder
→ Syrup
04 - ⅓ cup water
→ Finish
05 - Pinch of fine sea salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Line an 8x4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal of the halva.
02 - Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar completely dissolves. Bring to a gentle boil and cook without stirring until thermometer reaches 245°F (118°C), the soft ball stage.
03 - While syrup heats, whisk tahini, matcha powder, and salt in a mixing bowl until completely smooth and uniform in color.
04 - Immediately pour hot syrup into tahini mixture when it reaches temperature. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 20-30 seconds until mixture thickens, becomes matte, and begins pulling away from bowl sides.
05 - Quickly scrape mixture into prepared pan, smoothing top evenly with spatula. Work rapidly as mixture begins setting quickly.
06 - Let halva cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour until completely firm and set.
07 - Lift halva from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 12 even squares and serve immediately or store refrigerated.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Five ingredients and practically zero technique required, but it tastes like something from a specialty confectionery case
- The texture alone—somewhere between fudge and velvet—is worth keeping a stash in your fridge
02 -
- The syrup temperature matters more than anything else—too cool and the halva wont set, too hot and it turns grainy
- That moment when the mixture suddenly thickens and becomes matte can feel alarming, but it means everything is working exactly right
03 -
- If your tahini has separated completely, pour off the oil on top before measuring or you will throw off the ratios
- Spraying your measuring cup with a little oil helps the tahini slide out cleanly