Halva Chocolate Chip Cookies
Crisp. Chewy. Delicious. My Halva Chocolate Chip Cookies are a nutty twist on my favourite chocolate chip cookies that is sure to leave you craving more with every bite! These treats are not just your typical cookies; they’re a delicious fusion of cultures and tastes. Halva is a popular candy in Balkan and Middle Eastern cultures made from ground nuts (sesame, sunflower, pistachio) and a sweetener (honey, sugar syrup). Known for its nutty and earthy notes, Halva pairs beautifully with gooey chocolate chips and rich brown butter to create a unique and delicious chocolate chip cookie. Whether you are a seasoned baker or just getting started in the kitchen, these cookies are simple to prepare, require 15 minutes to bake, and are a stress-free indulgence that you’ll be happy you tried!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Halva?
Halva is a sweet and dense candy that originated in Iran and has since become popular in many cultures around the world. In Balkan and Middle Eastern cultures, Halva is typically made from ground nuts (sesame, sunflower, or pistachio), a sweetener (honey, sugar syrup), and a binder (flour, tahini, cocoa powder etc.) to create a thick log candy that easily crumbles. It is delicious on its own or a beautiful, nutty addition, to desserts.
Where can I buy Halva?
Halva can be found in the international section of your local grocery store. It is often paired next to jams, cookies, and spreads. It may be packaged in a small tub or in a log shaped container. Also, note that on the package Halva may also be spelt “halvah”, “halava”, “helva” or “halwa”, depending on which country it was made in.
Is Halva solid or liquid?
Halva is a solid, crumbly confection that maintains its shape when used as an add-in for desserts like these chocolate chip cookies. I recommend using large crumbles in this recipe so that you see the halva flakes throughout the cookie.
What flavour of halva is the best?
Each flavour of halva tastes unique and delicious based on the ground nut used to make it! Growing up, my family often bought sesame halva which had strong tahini notes that I loved. To make these cookies, I used sunflower halva which was also very delicious!
To make Halva Chocolate Chip Cookies, you will need:
- Halva – Sesame seed, sunflower seed, or pistachio candy
- Brown Butter – The aromatic, rich, and nutty butter created by simmering butter
- Sugar – A combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar
- Egg – Room temperature large eggs
- Flour – All-purpose
- Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet)
- Cookie essentials: Vanilla Extract, baking soda, salt, +1 tbsp of heavy cream**
- **A little bit of heavy cream or whatever high fat milk you have on hand!
Let’s make my favourite Halva Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Start by lining 1-2 baking sheet(s) with parchment paper. Set aside.
Make Brown Butter:
In a small saucepan and over medium-low heat, melt butter. Swirl pan every 30 seconds until butter begins to sizzle. Reduce heat to low. Continue swirling for ~3 minutes or until melted butter becomes foamy, makes popping sounds, and begins to take on a nutty aroma! Mixture will begin to turn golden brown and have brown flakes interspersed. Remove from heat. Using a wooden spoon or spatula stir butter, lift browned butter bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow to cool slightly before using for the dough steps (below).
Halva Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt (note: this process aerates and sifts dry ingredients). Set aside.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat sugars (brown and granulated) with brown butter until smooth. Add heavy cream and continue to beat for another minute on medium-low speed.
Add egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing on medium-low speed until combined. Scrape the sides of your mixing bowl to incorporate all ingredients.
Slowly add the dry (flour mixture) to the wet (butter/sugar/egg mixture), beating on low speed until just combined. Add chocolate chips to the batter. Stir/mix until just until combined.
Add crumbled halva to the cookie batter. Stir together one final time until evenly incorporated.
Scoop dough into 2 tbsp portions and set on flat plate/baking sheet. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1h.
Assembly/Baking
Preheat oven to 350F (325F if using convection bake).
Once dough is chilled, remove cookie dough balls from the fridge and place cookies onto a baking sheet, spaced 2-3″ apart.
Pro-tip: For the perfect, textured, chocolate chip cookie shape after baking – tear each refrigerated dough ball in half, place the bottom half on the top half, and press the two halves together *slightly* into a fairly round ball. Watch the perfect cookie form while it bakes!
Bake cookies at 350F for ~15 min or until the edges are golden brown and firm.
Sprinkle each cookie with flaked salt upon removing from the oven and allow to cool completely on the cookie sheet.
Enjoy!!
Also Check out:
- Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
- {Ridiculously Simple & Stress-free} The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies!
- Twisted Monster Cookies
Halva Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115g) Unsalted Butter
- 3/4 cup (150g) Light Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) Granulated Sugar
- 1 tbsp Heavy Cream or your milk of choice! (ideally with a high fat content)
- 1 Egg large
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/4 cup (150g) All-purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt or Kosher salt + extra pinch for tops of finished cookies!
- 3/4 cup (145g) Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- 3/4 cup Halva sesame seed, sunflower seed, or pistachio halva candy
Instructions
- Line 1-2 baking sheet(s) with parchment paper. Set aside.
Brown Butter
- In a small saucepan and over medium-low heat, melt butter. Swirl pan every 30 seconds until butter begins to sizzle. Reduce heat to low.
- Continue swirling for ~3 minutes or until melted butter becomes foamy, makes popping sounds, and begins to take on a nutty aroma! Mixture will begin to turn golden brown and have brown flakes interspersed. Remove from heat.
- Using a wooden spoon or spatula stir butter, lift browned butter bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow to cool slightly before using for the dough steps (below).
Halva Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt (note: this process aerates and sifts dry ingredients). Set aside.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat sugars (brown and granulated) with brown butter until smooth. Add heavy cream and continue to beat for another minute on medium-low speed.
- Add egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing on medium-low speed until combined. Scrape the sides of your mixing bowl to incorporate all ingredients.
- Slowly add the dry (flour mixture) to the wet (butter/sugar/egg mixture), beating on low speed until just combined. Add chocolate chips to the batter. Stir/mix until just until combined.
- Add crumbled halva to the cookie batter. Stir together one final time until evenly incorporated.
- Scoop dough into 2 tbsp portions and set on flat plate/baking sheet. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1h.
Assembly/Baking
- Preheat oven to 350F (325F if using convection bake).
- Once dough is chilled, remove cookie dough balls from the fridge and place cookies onto a baking sheet, spaced 2-3" apart.
- Pro-tip: For the perfect, textured, chocolate chip cookie shape after baking – tear each refrigerated dough ball in half, place the bottom half on the top half, and press the two halves together *slightly* into a fairly round ball. Watch the perfect cookie form while it bakes!
- Bake cookies at 350F for ~15 min or until the edges are golden brown and firm.
- Sprinkle each cookie with flaked salt upon removing from the oven and allow to cool completely on the cookie sheet.
- Enjoy!!
Video
Notes
- Savour that warm, nutty brown butter aroma and don’t forget to scrape all those flavourful, brown, flaky butter bits into your batter!
- To measure flour correctly: Use a spoon to scoop flour into your measuring cup! This ensures you don’t add too much flour to these cookies and end up with dry cookies
- The cookies will continue to crack as they cool!
- A sprinkle of salt on top of these cookies brings all of the flavours together and makes for the perfect cookie!! Don’t forget this step!
- After scooping, these cookies can be put into a freezer safe bag and stored in the freezer for up to 6 months!! Perfect for your late night Halva Chocolate Chip cookie snacking needs 🙂
