I’ve made this recipe before and eaten it lots of times. I’ll be honest though, I didn’t know what it was really called or its origins. When Expedia Travel asked me to take part in their #ExpediaWorldonaplate campaign and feature the cuisine of Malta, I set about doing my research. I cam across this dessert and thought it looked and sounded suspiciously like one I have had before. Ta-dah! I discovered an old favourite.
I’ve always described it as Nut Fudge but really it is a cross between a crumbly fudge and a nougat.
The official explanation is a dense sweet that originates across Asia, South Africa and Malta. The Maltese shop bought version of Helwa Tat Tort tends to be much lighter in colour than homemade. The tradition in Malta is to stick to almonds, although I find that replacing the almonds with pistachios works brilliantly too. I’m even tempted to try Macadamia nuts too.
You won’t believe how simple and quick this recipe is to create. The longest part is waiting for the sugar syrup to reach hard ball stage (140C).
HELWA TAT TORT (SWEET NUTTY FUDGE)
| Serves | 8+ |
| Prep time | 20 minutes |
| Cook time | 10 minutes |
| Total time | 30 minutes |
| Meal type | Dessert, Snack |
| Misc | Serve Cold |
| Occasion | Birthday Party, Casual Party |
INGREDIENTS
- 200g Caster Sugar
- 180ml Water
- 4 tablespoons Vanilla Extract
- 70g Toasted Whole Almonds (I chop into at least half before toasting – 3rd is even better)
- 260g Tahini
DIRECTIONS
| 1. | |
| In a small pan, place the sugar and water and slowly heat. You don’t want the water to start boiling too rapidly as it will evaporate. | |
| 2. | |
| In a medium bowl, place the vanilla, tahini and toasted almonds – Stir together | |
| 3. | |
| Bring the sugar/water mixture up to 140C. This will take at least 10 minutes – be patient! | |
| 4. | |
| Pour immediately into the tahini/vanilla/nut mixture and stir well – It will come together easily and will be quite a stiff dough | |
| 5. | |
| Place into an 8″ square (or whatever shape you want really) silicone cake tray. There is no need to grease as the tahini is really greasy | |
| 6. | |
| Leave for 10 minutes (you will see some of the tahini trying to make its way out but don’t fear, all will be ok). Chop into mouthful pieces and leave again for at least 10 minutes | |
| 7. | |
| Can be kept at room temperature for a few days but really won’t last that long | |
Other fudge recipes to enjoy:
Sounds delicious – I love the combination of nuts and fudge.
Thanks Erica – Me Too!
This sounds amazing! I love fudge and the addition of the tahini is interesting
I now have an urge to put tahini in everything! Wish it didn’t go everywhere though x
This sounds utterly delicious. Wish I had known about it when we visited Malta. Definitely would have tried some.
OH you must go back to test some Vai!
This look and sounds amazing, I need to try this! Like the sound of pistachios too! Yum
I’ll let you know how I get on when I make some with pistachios x
Oh, my sister would love these! She is a huge fan of nuts while her husband adores fudge. This sounds like a combination they would both enjoy.
A match made in heaven! x
Never thought about adding nuts to fudge – sounds delicious!
I bung everything into fudge! Nuts and cherries are fabulous x
I love fudge – this looks and sounds delicious. We do try and sample local food when we are on holiday! Kaz x
We always seem to forget and go back to what we know and love – comes from going to the same place for the past 8 years! x
That looks gorgeous Helen! I honeymooned in Malta but didn’t come across any of this, gutted! Looks delicious.
I’ve never heard of this before but my this looks good! I’ve been to Malta too and sad I didn’t come across it xx
gosh this sounds fab – love trying out new things!
Oh my this looks delicious!
I’m not a fudge fan at all but even I can admit this looks tasty!
Is tahini gluten-free, generally? I have a jar of Macedonian and it doesn’t say.
Hi, it is only gluten free if it says on the jar. Sometimes the sesame is coated and toasted in flour which may contain gluten. My jar says GF!