How to Make the Perfect Turkish Delight
Turkish · Easy · 60 min · 25 servings
This homemade version of the famous rose flavored confection is a surprisingly achievable kid friendly recipe that teaches children about the fascinating science of sugar cooking. The soft pillowy squares dusted in powdered sugar are endlessly fun for kids to cut and coat making this a wonderful rainy day kitchen activity.
Why this recipe works
This Turkish Delight recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 60 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 85 calories with 0g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 400 g granulated sugar
- 60 g cornstarch
- 1 tsp rose water or strawberry extract
- 2 drops pink food coloring
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 100 g powdered sugar for coating
- 30 g cornstarch for coating
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Sugar Syrup
Combine granulated sugar, lemon juice and 240ml of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves then bring to a boil without stirring until the syrup reaches 115 degrees C on a candy thermometer.
Step 2: Make the Starch Paste
In a separate saucepan whisk cornstarch with 240ml of cold water until completely smooth. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the paste becomes very thick and almost translucent looking about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Combine and Cook
Slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the starch paste while stirring constantly. Add rose water and pink food coloring then cook over low heat stirring frequently for 40 to 45 minutes until very thick and pulls from sides.
Step 4: Set and Cut
Pour the mixture into a greased parchment lined 20x20cm pan and smooth the top. Allow to cool completely at room temperature for 4 hours or overnight. Mix powdered sugar and cornstarch together then cut the set candy into squares and toss in the coating mixture.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- rose water → strawberry extract or raspberry extract for a fruity flavor that children tend to prefer over floral notes
- pink food coloring → natural beetroot powder for a natural pink color that parents feel better about giving to kids
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not cooking the mixture long enough which results in a sticky soft candy that will not hold its shape when cut into squares
- Cutting the Turkish delight before it has fully set overnight which causes it to tear and become misshapen
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 85 calories, 0g protein, 21g carbs, 0g fat, 0g fiber.
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