Turkish Semolina Halva (Irmik Helvasi)

Irmik helvasi, also known as Turkish semolina halva, is a classic dessert made with roasted semolina flour, sugar, and butter. It’s a simple and delicious treat enjoyed across Turkey and many other regions. Irmik helvasi boasts a delicious toasty flavor from the roasted semolina, a pleasant sweetness from the sugar, and a rich, buttery texture. The consistency can range from soft and creamy to slightly crunchy, depending on the variation. The difference between irmik helvasi and halvah is irmik helvasi is made with toasted semolina while the more familiar halvah is made with crushed sesame.

Irmik Helvasi -Turkish Semolina Halva

Irmik Helvasi -Turkish Semolina Halva

This dessert is a true Turkish crowd-pleasure and is loaded with Mediterranean flavors. Not your typical sesame paste halvah , it takes only five ingredients to make this easy and delicious dessert.
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Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkey
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: My Hungry Traveler

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Large nonstick pan or Wok
  • Wooden spoon
  • Kitchen scale

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Whole milk
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Orange zest
  • 7 tbsp Unsalted butter
  • 1 cup Coarse Semolina
  • 4 tbsp Pine nuts
  • ½ tsp Vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon and pine nut for garnish
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Make syrup by combining milk. sugar, orange zest, vanilla, vanilla, and water in a saucepan set over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat.
    1 cup Whole milk, 1 cup Water, 1 cup Granulated sugar, 1 tsp Orange zest, ½ tsp Vanilla extract
  • Place butter in a nonstick pan or wok set over medium-low heat. Once butter melts, add pine nuts and sauté for a few minute until they begin to change color.
    7 tbsp Unsalted butter, 4 tbsp Pine nuts
  • Reduce heat to low and add the semolina. Stir occasionally, until turns brown and fragrant, about 15 minutes. Be careful not to burn it or the halva will be bitter.
    1 cup Coarse Semolina
  • After semolina turns brown, stir in syrup. Cook over low for a few minutes until syrup is fully absorbed and halva is thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Sprinkle with cinnamon and pine nuts, and serve either warm or cold.
    Ground cinnamon and pine nut for garnish

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 477IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg