Traditional hasude — Albanian dessert with flour, butter and walnuts

Hasude is one of the most beloved desserts of traditional Albanian cuisine, especially in the north of the country. It is made with simple ingredients — flour, butter, milk, sugar and walnuts — but its secret lies in the slow browning of the flour, which gives it the characteristic taste of roasted walnuts.

INGREDIENTS (for 6–8 servings):

• 200 g wheat flour
• 150 g butter
• 1 liter milk
• 200 g sugar
• 100 g crushed walnuts (half for inside, half for on top)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• a pinch of salt

PREPARATION:

1. Melt the butter in a deep pot over medium heat.
2. Add the flour and brown it, stirring constantly for 10–15 minutes, until it turns golden and develops a pleasant aroma.
3. Add the sugar and continue stirring for another 2–3 minutes.
4. Pour in the milk gradually, stirring continuously so no lumps form.
5. Add half of the crushed walnuts and the cinnamon; cook on low heat until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pot (about 15–20 minutes).
6. Pour the hasude into a tray or individual bowls and smooth the surface with a spoon.
7. Sprinkle with the remaining crushed walnuts and a little cinnamon; let it cool slightly and serve warm or cold.

Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: about 35 minutes | Servings: 6–8.