Turkish Delight

Turkish delight, or lokum (also loukoum), is a confection made from starch and sugar. It is often flavored with rosewater or lemon, the former giving it a characteristic pale pink color.

30 min

Ingredients

• 2 cups white granulated sugar
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1½ cup water
• ½ tsp cream of tartar
• 2 tbsp rosewater
• Food coloring
• ½ cup chopped toasted pistachios or almonds (optional)
• Icing sugar, granulated sugar, or desiccated coconut for dusting

Steps

1. Combine sugar, 1 cup water, cream of tartar, and flavoring(s) in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Boil over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes, until the mixture reaches "firm-ball," or 250°F (120°C) on a candy thermometer.
3. In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch with ½ cup hot water, mix completely, and slowly stir into sugar mixture.
4. Stir constantly until mixture is evenly combined. Continue to stir on low heat until mixture thickens and becomes clearer.
5. Apply non-stick cooking spray to a form (heat-safe ice cube trays will do nicely, though not plastic ones), shallow pie pan, or jelly-roll pan.
6. Pour the thickened hot mixture into the pan or form and allow to set.
7. When cool, release from form or cut into cubes as applicable and roll each piece in powdered sugar, granulated sugar, or coconut.
8. Store at room temperature in airtight container.

More recipes with cornstarch, cream of tartar, rosewater or food coloring

Adapted from “Turkish Delight” in the Wikibooks Cookbook by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Reformatted for this site; this page's recipe text is shared under the same license.