How to Make Turkish Delight The Easy Way

Turkish Delight is known as "lokum" in Turkey.

You may have first heard of this enchanting candy by reading or watching "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe," by C.S. Lewis. Hopefully, you will be able to show more self-control with this candy than the character Edmund showed. This chewy confection was good enough to persuade him into doing the White Witch's bidding. This delicious Turkish candy can be a treat to delight your friends or your family. Remember to be careful, though -- you might find it hard to put down.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups sugar
• 4 1/2 cups water
• 2 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 1/4 cups cornstarch
• 1 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 tbsp. rose water
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Finely chopped nuts (if desired)
• Candy thermometer

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, dissolve the sugar and the cornstarch in the water, stirring constantly over medium heat.

2. Add the cream of tartar and boil until your candy thermometer reaches 220 degrees F, covering the pot for the last 5 minutes.

3. Add the lemon juice, the finely chopped nuts (if desired) and the rose water to the mixture and combine it well. Remove from heat.

4. Pour the mixture into a well-greased pan. Once cooled, cut into squares and roll the candy in the powdered sugar until covered evenly. Store in an airtight container with wax paper and a dusting of powdered sugar separating each layer.

Tips & Warnings

• Add food coloring to the candy when you add the lemon juice and rose water to achieve different colors.

• Stir constantly to keep the candy from scorching.

References

• Slate: The Lion, the Witch, and the Really Foul Candy

Resources

• FamilyEducation: Turkish Delight