Cookies Preferences
Halva is a decadent sweet sesame candy that is enormously popular in the Middle East. Often sold in markets by the same people who make tahini, it’s one of those “you can’t just take one bite” kind of things. Slabs of halva in different varieties were available at this particular stall in the ancient Saida market. It was so delicious I’m not sure any of it ever made it all the way back home with us on the hour’s long drive back up to Beirut. Pistachio halva has to be my favourite and here I’ve loaded up the pistachios and added just a hint of orange blossom water to make this a truly special cookie.
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
112g unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon orange blossom water
100g pistachios, finely chopped
170g pistachio halva in chunks
flaky salt to sprinkle
Preheat your oven to 180/375 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In the bowl of your stand mixer place the butter and sugars and mix using the paddle attachment for about 3 minutes, until well-combined. Now add the egg and orange blossom water and incorporate fully. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer a spoonful at a time before adding the pistachios and halva.
Using a small ice cream scoop (about 2 tablespoons), scoop the dough into balls and place them a couple of inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt and bake in your preheated oven fo 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheets before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Makes 2 dozen
