Desserts

Halawet al shaaer (angel hair halva)

Fine semolina halva, cooked with butter and sugar until soft and stringy, scented with orange blossom water. A traditional dessert for celebrations and condolences, served lukewarm.

30 min
6 servings
Medium
Budget-friendly
🇵🇸 Palestinian Territories

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Ingredients

Optional extras

60 g Flaked almonds
60 g Pine nuts

Nutrition facts

468 kcal per serving

Protein: 4.7 g
Carbohydrates: 63.3 g
of which sugars: 33.9 g
Fat: 21.2 g
of which saturated fat: 13.9 g
Fiber: 1.4 g

Ecomely’s estimate, calculated from the ingredients with the ANSES Ciqual food composition table, excluding sides and seasoning added to taste.

Instructions

Heat the water with the sugar until fully dissolved, then keep it hot.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over a medium heat.
Add the semolina and stir constantly for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden and smelling toasted.
Pour in the hot sugar water all at once, whisking vigorously; the semolina will swell and thicken.
Add the cardamom and orange blossom water, then stir until you have a dough that pulls away from the sides.
Pour into a mould, smooth the surface and press lightly.
Scatter over toasted almonds and pine nuts if using.
Let it cool for 10 minutes, turn out and serve.