Multan is famous for many things, but few are as well known across Pakistan as its sohan halwa. Rich, dense and full of desi ghee and nuts, it has been a favourite gift from Multan for generations. Because it's so popular, plenty of versions claim to be "Multani". Here's what sets a genuine one apart.
The traditional ingredients
Authentic Multani sohan halwa is built on a short list of ingredients:
- Milk, cooked down slowly until it thickens and caramelises.
- Samnat (sprouted wheat flour), which gives sohan halwa its distinctive texture and slightly malty taste.
- Pure desi ghee, for richness and its unmistakable aroma.
- Nuts, usually almonds and pistachios, and sometimes walnuts.
The slow method
What really makes sohan halwa is time. The milk and samnat are cooked for hours in a large karahi with constant stirring, until the mixture darkens, thickens and releases its ghee. Rushing this step gives a pale, soft halwa that lacks the deep caramel flavour of the real thing.
How to recognise a good sohan halwa
- Colour: a deep golden to brown colour from slow-caramelised milk.
- Texture: dense and firm, slightly chewy or crumbly, never soft and pasty.
- Aroma: a clear smell of desi ghee, not oil.
- Nuts: generous, visible nuts, not a light sprinkle on top.
- Sweetness: rich, but the milk and ghee flavours should come through.
The main varieties
- Classic or dry fruit sohan halwa, loaded with almonds and pistachios. Try our Dry Fruit Sohan Halwa.
- Akhroti sohan halwa, made with walnuts for a deeper, nuttier taste. See our Akhroti Sohan Halwa.
- Sohan halwa with no added sugar, sweetened with sorbitol for those cutting back on sugar. See our Sohan Halwa (No Added Sugar).
Storing and serving
Keep sohan halwa in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight. Each of our product pages lists exactly how long it stays fresh. Serve it in small pieces with chai, or share it when guests arrive; it's rich, so a little goes a long way.
Why it makes such a good gift
Sohan halwa travels well, keeps well and carries the name of Multan with it. That's why it remains one of the most popular sweets to send to family across Pakistan and abroad.
Browse our Multani Sohan Halwa, slow-cooked in Multan and delivered free across Pakistan with cash on delivery. You can also read types of halwa explained or the guide to Multani mithai and halwa.