Dessert · Middle Eastern ·

Luscious Persian Tahini Halva with Pistachio Crunch

Name: Luscious Persian Tahini Halva with Pistachio Crunch
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: Tahini, 2 cups (stirred well); Granulated Sugar, 1 1/2 cups; Water, 1/2 cup; Saffron Strands, 1/4 tsp (soaked in 1 tbsp warm water); Ground Cardamom, 1/4 tsp; Vanilla Extract, 1 tsp; Unsalted Pistachios, 1/2 cup (roughly chopped); Honey, 2 tbsp; Butter, 1 tbsp

This rich and creamy tahini halva is infused with subtle hints of saffron and cardamom, topped with a pistachio crunch for a delightful texture contrast.

4.5(734 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 24, 2025

Luscious Persian Tahini Halva with Pistachio Crunch — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Halva Base

For the Pistachio Crunch

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 443 kcal
Protein: 7.88 g
Carbs: 48.25 g
Fat: 25 g
Fiber: 3.53 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3540 kcal
Protein: 63 g
Carbs: 386 g
Fat: 200 g
Fiber: 28.2 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Tahini 2 cups (stirred well)	1790	50	32	160	24
Granulated Sugar 1 1/2 cups	1160	0	300	0	0
Water 1/2 cup	0	0	0	0	0
Saffron Strands 1/4 tsp (soaked in 1 tbsp warm water)	1	0	0	0	0
Ground Cardamom 1/4 tsp	2	0	0.5	0	0.2
Vanilla Extract 1 tsp	12	0	0.5	0	0
Unsalted Pistachios 1/2 cup (roughly chopped)	345	13	19	28	4
Honey 2 tbsp	128	0	34	0	0
Butter 1 tbsp	102	0	0	12	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Saffron

1
Soak Saffron
Soak the saffron strands in 1 tablespoon of warm water. Let them steep while you prepare the halva base.

Preparing the Pistachio Crunch

1
Melt Butter
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter.
2
Coat Pistachios
Stir in the honey and chopped pistachios until well coated.
3
Spread Mixture
Spread the mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

How to Make Luscious Persian Tahini Halva with Pistachio Crunch

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 8 servings

1
Making Sugar Syrup
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat; stir until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and allow to boil until it reaches 240°F (soft ball stage).
2
Combining Ingredients
Quickly stir in saffron water, cardamom, vanilla, and tahini until smooth and uniform.
3
Setting Halva
Pour the mixture into a parchment-lined 8x8 inch pan. Smooth the top and sprinkle the pistachio crunch evenly.