Halva 5 Ways

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups well-stirred tahini
• room temperature
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups sugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Line an 8x8" baking pan or a 9x4" loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2" overhang on 2 sides.

2. 2

   Using a wooden spoon, mix tahini, salt, and vanilla in a medium heatproof bowl.

3. 3

   Pour 1/4 cup water into a small saucepan, then stir in sugar.

4. 4

   Attach a candy thermometer to side of pan.

5. 5

   Bring sugar to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally to help sugar dissolve, until thermometer registers 250°F.

6. 6

   Immediately remove syrup from heat.

7. 7

   Gradually stream syrup into tahini mixture, mixing tahini constantly with wooden spoon.

8. 8

   Continue to stir just until halva comes together in a smooth mass and starts to pull away from sides of bowl (less than a minute).

9. 9

   Be careful not to overmix or halva will be crumbly.

10. 10

    Working quickly, scrape halva into prepared pan, pushing toward edges; smooth top.

11. 11

    Let cool to room temperature, then cover tightly with plastic and chill at least 2 hours.

12. 12

    Remove from pan using parchment overhang.

13. 13

    Slice as desired to serve.

14. 14

    Do Ahead: Halva can be made 3 weeks ahead.

15. 15

    Transfer to an airtight container and chill.