Somali Halwa
In Desserts Tagged: Halwa, Halwad, Somali halwa, Xalwad, Xalwo 14 comments
Somali Halwa also known as Halwo or Halwad is a popular sweet amongst Somalis, it is made of sugar, cornstarch, oil and for the spices nutmeg and cardamom are used. There is one with peanut version added at the end. It is usually served with cup of Somali tea.
Ingredients:
- 8 cups of water
- 1 lb granulated sugar
- 1 lb light brown sugar
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup ghee/oil
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoon of ground cardamom
- Pinch saffron powder
Directions:
- Bring the sugar and the water to boil.
- Mix cornstarch, saffron and half of cup water, allow it to dissolve.
- Add the cornstarch to the mixture.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat while stirring.
- As the mixture turns thick, start adding oil. This might take about an hour.
- Continue adding oil when it sticks to the bottom of the pan.
- Keep stirring until the mixture gets separated.
- When it starts to form like a big ball and it leaves the sides of the pan add cardamom and nutmeg.
- Put the halwad on a baking sheet.
- Let it cool.
I absolutely LOVE your recipes, mashallah.
Thank you for posting them, and please keep it coming, absolutely delicious dishes!!
I have never been a big fan of halwad, but during ramadan I have always purchased it, since it’s Somali tradition to serve halwad, specially during Eid. This year, I’m sooo making it!! Thanks to You! I better start practing asap, mahadsanid.
PS: I was curious if you were to add nuts, what sorta nuts would you, recommend? and when would you add that?
Hi Smiley, I am glad you liked the halwad recipe.
It is my favorite too I always make sure when I am making it to have someone else helping me, as it can take long time.
You can use peanuts after you add the cardamom and the nutmeg and mix until incorporated.
Let me know how it goes, Insha Allah.
Masha’Allah sis…it looks great.
Assalaamu Alaikum! It’s Smiley again.
I just wanted to share with You, that I tried making this delicious recipe of yours.
All my family and friends enjoyed this. It was absolutely tasty. Next time I will eat, before making it again, that way, I won’t get greedy and double the recipe. LoL.
Once again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing these recipes with everyone. May God Bless You, and Yours.
Wa alaikumu Salaam,
I am so happy that it worked for you sis, on the first time, well done.
You must be a good cook.
Jazakalahu Khair
Thank you so much for this recipe. I grew up in East Africa, but have always longed for the taste of Halwa which we only purchased whilst on holiday on the African coast. I have been searching the net for even the slightest resemblance to this childhood delicacy, and have finally found it.
I will think of you when I try making it.
honestly i absolutely hate helwa because my mom used to make it all the time at my house and it would take upto four hours to fully cook but it really is worth it if u like helwa
salama alaykum
Asalamu aleykum …
i liked this recipes ,halwa goes with buskut , thank you for sharing with us, i also want to ask you , if you dont mind, to post somali biscuit( buslut) .
thanks again ,,,, asalamu aleykum.
salaam calekum wrwb my sister i like to know how to make icun someone say to me that is sokor bur saliid mixed can u help me pls
man do i love this sweet or wat i cant even get enough of it i love somali halwa and im not even somalian to beging with lol
I’m going to try making Halwa for the first time, can I ask what sort of oil should I use?
Thank you for posting the ingredients.
Sunflower oil or Canola oil should be fine. good luck with it
wow mashALLAH looks so tasty!
Ramadan Mubarak!
I am sooo happy I found your Blog, thankyou for these delicious recipes!