Turkish delight: My Turkish friend taught me this delicacy with 5 ingredients

Turkish delight, also known as lokum, is a traditional Middle Eastern sweet that is characterized by its soft, chewy texture and sweet taste. These treats are perfect to accompany a cup of tea or coffee and are very popular at celebrations and as gifts.

Today I will teach you how to prepare a simple version of these delicacies with only five basic ingredients, thanks to the recipe that my Turkish friend shared with me. Let’s start!

Index

How to prepare Turkish delight

To prepare these sweet snacks, you will need:

Ingredients:

• 360 ml of water (1 and 1/2 cup)
• 360 g sugar (2 cups)
• 120 ml strained orange juice (1/2 cup)
• 75 g cornstarch (1/2 cup)
• 70 g of icing sugar (approx. 1/2 cup)

Procedure:

1. Prepare the mold :
   • Lightly grease a 20cm square mold and line it with parchment paper, making sure the paper extends over the sides to make it easier to remove from the mould.
2. Cook the sugar and water mixture :
   • In a large saucepan, mix the water and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Let it boil gently for 5 minutes without stirring. This allows the mixture to reach the right consistency for Turkish delight.
3. Add the orange juice :
   • Add the strained orange juice to the saucepan and mix well. The orange juice will give a fresh and citrus flavor to the delicacies.
4. Add the cornstarch :
   • In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in a little cold water to avoid lumps.
   • Add this cornstarch mixture to the saucepan with the sugar syrup and orange juice. Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken.
   • Continue cooking and stirring for about 20-25 minutes, or until the mixture is very thick and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.
5. Pour into the mold :
   • Pour the thick mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Let the mixture cool at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or until completely firm.
6. Cut and sprinkle with icing sugar :
   • Once the mixture is firm, use the parchment paper to unmold the Turkish delight. Cut into desired size squares with a sharp knife.
   • Generously sprinkle the squares with icing sugar to prevent them from sticking together and to give them a sweet, decorative finishing touch.

And ready! You now have your own Turkish delights to enjoy and share. This candy is perfect for any occasion and is sure to delight all your friends and family.

We recommend: How to make quick and easy sweets without an oven! No eggs!

Tips

1. Control the temperature : While cooking sugar syrup and orange juice, it is crucial to maintain a constant and moderate temperature. Use a kitchen thermometer to make sure the mixture is not overheated, as this can cause the sugar to caramelize and change the texture of the candy.
2. Avoid lumps in cornstarch : Dissolving cornstarch in cold water before adding it to the hot mixture is essential to avoid lumps. Make sure to mix the cornstarch and water thoroughly until it is completely dissolved before adding it to the saucepan.
3. Stir constantly : Once you add the cornstarch to the mixture, it is essential to stir constantly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning. Use a heat-resistant silicone spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan during cooking.
4. Let cool completely : Patience is key when letting the mixture cool. Be sure to let it sit long enough for it to harden completely before cutting. This will not only make cutting easier, but will also help the treats maintain their shape and texture once dusted with icing sugar.