Traditional Turkish Delight Recipe Using Cornstarch

TRADITIONAL TURKISH DELIGHT RECIPE (USING CORNSTARCH)

Steps:

• Prepare your molds. I used silicone molds greased with coconut oil. If you don't have silicone pans, line other pans with greased wax or parchment paper. (The final candy will be sticky, and that will help with the unmolding process.)
• Begin by mixing together the first 3 ingredients (sugar, 3/4 c. water, and citric acid) in a heavy bottom pan, and bring to a slight boil before lowering the heat.
• Heat, without needing to stir, over low to medium heat until you reach 260ºF. You can occasionally use a spatula to wipe down any sugar crystals from the side of the pan throughout this process.
• Meanwhile, mix together the solution of cornstarch and water.
• When the sugar syrup has reached the right temperature, temporarily take it off the heat source and ladle in a bit of the sugar syrup into the cornstarch mixture to warm it.
• Slowly drizzle the cornstarch mixture into the sugar syrup while continuously stirring them together.
• Once all of the cornstarch solution has been completely incorporated, begin to stir the mixture over low heat. You will notice that the mixture should get quite thick almost immediately.
• Despite the fact that the mixture is quite thick, you will want to reduce and thicken it even more before adding in your flavorings. I found it was best to keep the mixture over a low heat so that the sugar wouldn't caramelize on the bottom, affecting the flavor of the final product.
• As you heat and stir, you should notice that the gel becomes quite transparent. It will also reduce slightly in volume.
• To determine the point when you should add your flavoring, test the consistency of your candy by dipping a spoon into the gel, and then dipping the gel covered spoon into a glass of ice water. As the candy cools, you can judge the consistency and stop when you are happy with it. The longer you cook the candy at this stage, the chewier it will become and the more it will hold its shape at room temperature.
• Add in your flavorings and colorings. I wanted a strong rose flavor like the one in the turkish delight I bought in Turkey so I used a combination of 2 Tbsp. rose water, and 2 Tbsp. rose syrup. (In the first trials, I used only rose water, and it seemed to be enough for the softer versions of the candy. As you heat it more, though, the flavor gets more subtle, so I needed to add more flavor to compensate for that. You can check the flavor when you check the texture in ice water.)
• Once you've incorporated all of your flavorings, check the texture once more to make sure that the addition of any new liquids hasn't affected the consistency of your candy too much. If necessary, slightly mix and warm your mixture a little longer at very low heat to help evaporate a little water, but be careful and take into account that doing this for too long can alter and diminish the flavorings you have added.
• When you are happy with your result, pour the mixture into your prepared molds and spread it out as best you can with a spatula. It should be very thick and sticky.
• Let cool for several hours.
• Cut into small squares, using cornstarch to keep the candies from sticking to one another. All of the recipes I found online either used powdered sugar or a combination of powdered sugar and cornstarch for dusting the candies, preventing them from sticking to one another. The turkish delight I bought in turkey was only dusted with cornstarch and wasn't dusted with sugar, something I find to be unnecessary as the turkish delight is already very sweet. If you do choose to use powdered sugar for dusting, keep in mind that the candy may sweat and the sugar coating may end up "melting" off of the candy so you may have to add in more cornstarch or reapply the coating before serving your candy.

NON-EVIL TURKISH DELIGHT

Steps:

• 1. Generously coat the baking sheet with cooking spray, and set it aside.
• 2. Make the sugar syrup: Combine the sugar, honey, water, and cream of tartar in a medium-size (4-quart) saucepan, and mix with the heatproof spatula to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, and insert the candy thermometer. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook, without stirring, until the temperature reaches 260°F/127°C (hard ball stage), about 15 minutes.
• 3. Meanwhile (keeping an eye on the sugar syrup), make the cornstarch mixture: In a large (6-quart) saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch, confectioners' sugar, water, and cream of tartar to combine. Once the sugar syrup reaches 250°F/121°C (firm ball stage), place the cornstarch mixture over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with the whisk; it will thicken and boil quickly, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat, but leave the mixture on the hot burner; stir well a few times with a whisk, and set aside.
• 4. At this point, the sugar syrup should be close to 260°F/127°C (hard ball stage); when it reaches that temperature, remove it from the heat and carefully pour it into the cornstarch mixture. Stir well with the whisk to combine. Bring everything to a low boil over medium heat. Then reduce the heat to low and cook at a low simmer, stirring frequently with the spatula, until the mixture is thick and gluey and a light golden color, 30 to 45 minutes. Don't turn your back on it! You need to make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan with the spatula every few minutes to prevent scorching and lumps.
• 5. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flavorings: stir in the rosewater, pistachios, and food coloring (if using).
• 6. Wearing oven mitts, immediately pour the candy into the prepared baking sheet. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the candy to prevent it from forming a skin as it cools. Allow it to cool until it has set and is firm and cool to the touch, 6 to 8 hours.
• 7. Gently peel off the plastic wrap. Dust the cutting board with the confectioners' sugar. Run the tip of a paring knife between the candy and the sheet, and gently turn the candy out onto the prepared board.
• 8. Place the cornstarch mixture in a medium-size bowl. Generously coat a sharp chef's knife with cooking spray, and use a gentle slicing motion to cut the candy into 1-inch squares. Dredge the pieces in the cornstarch mixture until well coated.
• Store the Turkish delights, layered with wax paper, in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 1 month.

TURKISH DELIGHT

Steps:

• Oil an 8-inch-square baking pan, and set aside. Place the sugar, 1 cup water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan, and stir to combine. Place over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil. If there are sugar crystals on the side of the pan, brush down with a pastry brush dipped in water. Clip on a candy thermometer, and heat to 240 degrees. Remove sugar syrup from the heat, and set aside.
• Combine 3/4 cup cornstarch, cream of tartar, and 3/4 cup water in a medium saucepan, and whisk until smooth and fully combined. Bring the remaining 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a separate pan; add to cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly. Place over medium heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture becomes quite thick and just comes to a boil.
• Pour the sugar syrup into the cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly, and reduce heat to medium. Gently simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in rose water, food coloring, and almonds, if using. Pour into the prepared pan, and let set overnight. Combine the confectioners' sugar with the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch. Sprinkle some of the mixture in an even layer over a cutting board, and unmold the Turkish delight onto it. Sprinkle the top of the candy with more of the sugar mixture. Using a sharp knife, cut into 1-inch squares. Let sit uncovered overnight. Just before serving, dust with the remaining sugar mixture. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

AUTHENTIC TURKISH DELIGHT RECIPE FROM NARNIA

Steps:

• Add the sugar, citric acid, and water into a heavy-bottomed pan and mix until the sugar dissolves.
• Bring the mixture to a boil on high heat, then lower the heat down to a simmer and wait until the syrup reaches 250°F (hard ball stage, See Note 1). Make sure to adjust this temperature for your kitchen's altitude and observe the pan closely-a clipped candy thermometer will give the most reliable results. This should take 15-30 minutes depending on your stove's heat output.
• id="instruction-step-3">3. Meanwhile, prepare the cornstarch mixture by adding cornstarch and water to a jar. Close the lid and shake vigorously until there are no visible lumps of starch. Alternatively, thoroughly mix in a separate bowl.
• id="instruction-step-4">4. Once the syrup reaches 250°F, turn off the heat and gradually add the just-shaken cornstarch mix into the pan, whisking continuously.
• d="instruction-step-5">5. When all the cornstarch is incorporated, turn the heat on to medium-low and continue whisking until gelation. It should only take a few minutes for the mixture to thicken.
• d="instruction-step-6">6. Once it's thickened, put the heat on low to simmer, and make sure to mix it (See Note 2) about every 7-8 minutes to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. Be careful as the thickened mixture may splatter. Continue this process for 1-2 hours.
• instruction-step-7">7. Prepare a mold by spreading a small amount of neutral oil into a container (See Notes 3 & 4).
• instruction-step-8">8. To judge whether the mixture is done cooking, look for a relatively thick-but not gloopy-texture and a medium-dark shade of amber. Around the 1, 1 1/2-hour mark, the mixture is usually very close to being done. This timeframe will depend on a variety of factors such as pan width, changing the ingredient amounts to make more/less lokum, and the stove's heat output. It can go up to 2 hours+, so make sure to judge by texture and color.
• ruction-step-9">9. When the Turkish delight is done cooking, turn off the heat, and add the rosewater and food coloring. Mix, pour into the container, and set aside at room temperature for at least 5 hours-preferably a full day especially if you're somewhere hot and humid.
• ion-step-10">10. The next day, sprinkle cornstarch into the container then cut out a strip from the edge so that you can remove the entire slab. Sprinkle with more cornstarch, then cut into cubes.
• on-step-12">12. To maximize the experience, serve with Turkish coffee and water on the side, which is the most common way people consume it in Turkey. Sandwiching the lokum between plain biscuits like Biscoff (or Petibör in Turkey) is really popular as well. These also make a great gift for Christmas. Enjoy!

TURKISH DELIGHT

Steps:

• Oil a shallow square metal or silicone baking tray, about 18 x 18cm. Put the sugar in a pan with the cream of tartar and 500ml water and heat gently at first, stirring so that the sugar melts. Then, turn up the heat and boil for 10-15 mins until the mixture is a little more syrupy. If you have a sugar thermometer, it should reach 115-118C.
• Stir the cornflour into 150ml water, then, whisking all the time, pour it into the sugar syrup. Keep whisking, until everything combines to make a smooth, gloopy mix. Take out the whisk and start to stir with a spatula or spoon over a medium heat. Keep stirring until the mixture is thick enough to see a clear line drawn through it with the spoon and it starts to leave the sides of the pan. It will be very thick and make big bubbles that burst as it cooks, so be careful. This can take up to an hour. Test the mix by dropping a small amount into very cold water; it should form a ball that can be pressed gently when cold and that will feel a little springy.
• Stir in the rosewater or rose syrup and the food colouring, if using, then pour everything into the tray and level the top. Leave to cool and set completely. Sieve some cornflour and icing sugar together over a board and carefully turn out the Turkish delight. Cover it with more icing sugar and cornflour and cut it into cubes with a sharp knife. Dust with yet more of the icing sugar mixture and move the pieces apart so they can dry. Can be stored openly or in small cardboard boxes or bags for up to 1 week.

EASY TURKISH DELIGHT

Steps:

• Combine water, white sugar, and gelatin in a large microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave on high for 7 minutes. Stir sugar mixture and cook in microwave for 7 minutes more.
• Mix 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, corn flour, and cream of tartar together in a bowl; stir into sugar mixture. Heat mixture in microwave on high for 6 minutes more. Stir rose water and food coloring into mixture.
• Lightly grease a 7x11-inch baking dish. Pour mixture into the greased dish; refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Cut Turkish delight into small squares using a wet knife.
• Place 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Roll Turkish delight in the confectioners' sugar until evenly coated. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.