Date Halwa
HB-0775 · Hand-built original · Bahraini
Treat yourself to Date Halwa, a wonderfully rich Bahraini dessert that captures the warmth of Arabian hospitality in every spoonful. Sticky-sweet dates are simmered with fragrant cardamom, buttery ghee and a scattering of ground nuts until they melt into a glossy, fudge-like sweet. It takes a little patience at the stove, but the reward is a treat that has graced festive tables across the Gulf for generations. Bring a taste of Bahrain to your own kitchen with this comforting classic.
BahrainiDessert1–2 servings1434 kcalVegetarianGluten-freeEgg-freeLow-SodiumHigh FiberRenal
Main ingredient: dates
Pairs well with: coffee, vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, whipped cream
Servings:1quantities adjust to match
Ingredients
- 7 oz dates, stoned and chopped
- 3½ oz ghee (or butter)
- 6½ Tbsp water, plus a little more if needed
- 1¾ oz ground almonds or walnuts
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- Sugar, to taste (optional)
- A pinch of salt
Method
- Put the chopped dates and the water in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring and pressing the dates with a spoon, for 5 to 7 minutes, until they soften into a thick paste. Add a splash more water if the mixture looks dry.
- Melt the ghee in a heavy pan over low heat. Add the date paste and stir well to combine.
- Cook the mixture over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the pan, until it darkens slightly, thickens, and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan and the ghee begins to glisten at the edges.
- Stir in the ground almonds or walnuts, the cardamom, and the pinch of salt. Taste and add a little sugar only if the dates are not sweet enough.
- Cook for 2 minutes more, then scrape the halwa into a small greased dish and smooth the top.
- Leave to cool until just warm and set enough to cut or spoon, then serve in small portions.
Nutrition (per serving, where published)
1434 kcalCalories
4.4 gProtein
152.2 gCarbs
99.3 gFat
61.5 gSaturates
14.7 gFibre
131.9 gSugars
5 mgSodium
254 mgCholesterol
1441 mgPotassium
150 mgCalcium
2.5 mgIron
1 servingServing
Estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data