Published: by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .
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Turkish delight, also known as lokum, is a classic Turkish candy that’s soft and so delicious. Learn how to make Turkish delight at home using a handful of ingredients. I’ve included variations and several tips to make these perfectly every time.
Walking around Istanbul, especially in Istiklal street, the spice bazaar or Sultan Ahmet, you’ll see shops selling sweets such as sutlac (rice pudding), baklava, muhallebi and lokum, also known as Turkish delight. They come in various flavors and colors, and there is always a new variation of them in the store. You’ll be offered several samples and will end up buying some of this delicious treat and bring it back home.
And when the treats are finished, you’ll be looking for ways to make it at home, and that’s why I’ve developed this recipe, so you can have a piece of my beloved Istanbul with you at any given moment.
Table Of Contents:
- What Is Turkish Delight?
- Ingredients For Turkish Delight
- How To Make Turkish Delight
- Tips To Make Turkish Delight (Lokum)
- Variations
- Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Desserts To Try
- Turkish Delight Recipe (Lokum)
This Turkish delight recipe is a simplified version using a handful of ingredients. Unlike other candy recipes, this one doesn’t call for a thermometer and you can modify it to your liking.
What Is Turkish Delight?
Turkish delight is a soft jelly candy with a squishy texture made mainly from sugar and starch and flavored with rosewater, vanilla, cinnamon or other additions. It’s served as a side with coffee after a meal or at weddings and other celebrations.
The Turkish word “lokum” comes from the Arabic word luqma meaning “mouthful”. This candy was originally called rahat-ul holkum, coming from the Arabic word rahat al-hulqum, rahat means with ease and hulqum means throat. The name originally meant “comfort of the throat”. Eventually the name was shortened to lokum in Turkey.
Ingredients For Turkish Delight
- Sugar: You need granulated sugar for this recipe. I don’t recommend using any substitutions including honey or other sweeteners.
- Cornstarch: Acts as a binding agent and absorbs the moisture. It’s also used to prevent the lokum pieces sticking together.
- Rosewater: I used some rosewater to give the Turkish delights a bit of a floral aroma and flavor. You can leave it out or use other additions such as cinnamon or vanilla.
- Powdered sugar: You need to mix powdered sugar with some cornstarch and dust the lokum with it so it doesn’t stick.
- Food coloring: I used red food coloring as it’s one of the most common colors for lokum. You can use other colors or no color at all.
How To Make Turkish Delight
- Prepare the pan: Brush the bottom and sides of a 9x9 baking pan with a bit of oil and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make the candy: Place the water, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan over medium high heat. Once it comes to a simmer, lower the heat to medium. Stir constantly until it’s thickened and has the consistency of gel. The mixture will be thick, but still pourable.
- Add the food coloring: Add in the food coloring and stir to combine. Cook for another 10 minutes. Turn the heat off.
- Let it set: Pour the mixture into the pan and let it sit at room temperature for 4 hours or until solid.
- Slice and serve: Mix the powdered sugar with some cornstarch and sprinkle half of it on a clean surface like a cutting board. Gently flip the solid lokum onto the board and top it with more cornstarch and powdered sugar mixture. Using a large knife, slice the lokum vertically and horizontally into 1 inch cubes.
- Final touch: Toss in the cornstarch and powdered sugar mix again and plate.
Tips To Make Turkish Delight (Lokum)
- Stir constantly: because of its texture and ingredients, the lokum mixture is prone to sticking to the pot if it’s not stirred constantly. Keep stirring until it reaches the right consistency.
- Air dry: Once youcut the lokum, let t sit uncovered for a few hours. This will prevent the candy from sweating.
- Coat properly: Make sure each piece of lokum is completely coated with the cornstarch and powdered sugar mix. This will prevent them from sticking to each other.
- Be patient: It takes at least 4 hours for the Turkish delight mixture to set. If you have the time, let it sit at room temperature overnight. Don’t refrigerate or freeze it because it would release moisture.
Variations
- Flavor: Use rosewater, orange blossom water, lemon, orange or vanilla extract.
- Food coloring: You can add green, yellow or orange food coloring.
- Nuts: Chop some pistachios or hazelnuts and add it to the mixture right before pouring it into the pan to cool.
Storage
Store the Turkish delight in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer. Keep them at room temperature and don’t refrigerate. Turkish delight keeps for up to 2 weeks in a cool dry place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any other sweetener besides sugar?
Unfortunately any other sweetener would alter the flavor and consistency of Turkish delights therefore there really isn’t a substitute for sugar in this recipe.
Is Turkish delight vegan and gluten-free?
Yes, this lokum recipe is vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Why shouldn’t you store Turkish delight in the refrigerator?
The cold will cause the Turkish delight to sweat and lose its moisture, resulting in a chewy texture that’s not authentic to lokum. It’s best to store Turkish delight at room temperature in a cool and dry place with no light.
More Desserts To Try
- Best Tahini Cookies Recipe
- Mahalabia - Middle Eastern Milk Pudding
- Baklava Recipe
- Revani Cake (Turkish Semolina Cake)
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Turkish Delight Recipe (Lokum)
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Turkish delight, also known as lokum, is a classic Turkish candy that’s soft and so delicious. Learn how to make Turkish delight at home using a handful of ingredients. I’ve included variations and several tips to make these perfectly every time.
5 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Turkish
Servings 16
Calories 175 kcal
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cup water
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 6 drops red food coloring
Topping
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
Brush the bottom and sides of a 9x9 baking pan a bit of oil. Then line it with parchment paper and set aside.
In a 4 quart saucepan place the water, sugar and cornstarch. Place the saucepan over medium high heat. Once it comes to a simmer, lower the heat to medium and stir constantly until it’s thickened and has the consistency of gel. The mixture will be thick, but still pourable.
Add drops the food coloring and stir to combine. If you like it darker, add more food coloring. Cook for another 10 minutes and then turn the heat off.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and let it sit at room temperature for 4 hours or until solid.
Mix the powdered sugar with some cornstarch and sprinkle half of it on a clean surface such as a cutting board. Gently flip the solid lokum onto the board and top it with more cornstarch and powdered sugar mixture. Using a large knife, slice the lokum vertically and horizontally into 1 inch cubes.
Toss in the cornstarch and powdered sugar mix again and plate.
Notes
- It takes at least 4 hours for the Turkish delight mixture to set. If you have the time, let it sit at room temperature overnight. Don’t refrigerate or freeze it because it would release moisture.
- Store the Turkish delight in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer. Keep them at room temperature and don’t refrigerate. Turkish delight keeps for up to 2 weeks in a cool dry place.
Nutrition
Calories: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 0.02gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.001gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.002gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.001gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 37gCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Susan Viscuso
Hello
How much flavor ( vanilla, rosewater etc) I don't see the amount indicated?
thank youReply
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
About a teaspoon would be enough 🙂
Reply
Saida
i cant wait to make this recipe as i am mad on lokum. evrrytime someone goes to Turkey i ask them to bring me some. i will definirely make my own now. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Ben
This looks amazing. I have a Turkish Delight store near my home, and I'm addicted to the stuff. I can't wait to make my own!Reply
Sky
This recipe was so easy to follow and turned out PERFECT! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!Reply
Donalyn
My first try with this treat and thanks to you, it came out perfectly - thanks for a great recipe!Reply
Angela
I grew up eating Turkish Delight and it's one of my favorite recipes ever! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂Reply
Justine
I've wanted to try Turkish Delight ever since I was a kid and read about it in the books about Narnia. I'm so happy I finally got to try them! What a wonderful little treat!Reply
Beth
I can't wait to make this! I love Turkish delight. I can't wait to try my hand at making it rather than just buying it.Reply
Gianne
The steps were easy to follow and the end result was a delicious, chewy treat with a delicate floral flavor. I can't wait to make it again!Reply
Dina and Bruce
Better than I imagined and so easy!Reply
MacKenzie
This is so much easier than I thought it would be to make. We made it Sunday and it turned out perfect.Reply
Alison Corey
Oh, Turkish delight! I've always been intrigued by this classic Turkish candy. It sounds like such a delightful treat, and the idea of making it at home with just a few ingredients is really appealing. I love trying my hand at homemade versions of favorite treats, so I'll definitely have to give this recipe a try.Reply
veenaazmanov
This is so easy to make. I love the color you have given this dessert. Everything is in y kitchen and just the perfect treat for my loved ones this valentine. ThanksReply