Turkish Delight Recipes (6 Ways)

Ingredients

• 2 cup sugar (for Rose Delight base)
• 2 cup water (for Rose Delight base)
• 1 cup cornstarch (for Rose Delight base)
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 tbsp rose water
• pink food coloring (optional)
• powdered sugar & cornstarch (for coating)
• dried rose petals (optional)
• 2 cup sugar (for Pistachio Delight base)
• 2 cup water (for Pistachio Delight base)
• 1 cup cornstarch (for Pistachio Delight base)
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup chopped pistachios
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• powdered sugar & cornstarch (for coating)
• 2 cup sugar (for Orange Delight base)
• 2 cup water (for Orange Delight base)
• 1 cup cornstarch (for Orange Delight base)
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• orange food coloring (optional)
• powdered sugar (for coating)
• 2 cup sugar (for Pomegranate Delight base)
• 1.5 cup pomegranate juice
• 0.5 cup water
• 1 cup cornstarch (for Pomegranate Delight base)
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• pomegranate seeds (optional)
• powdered sugar (for dusting)
• 2 cup sugar (for Coconut Delight base)
• 2 cup water (for Coconut Delight base)
• 1 cup cornstarch (for Coconut Delight base)
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• powdered sugar
• 2 cup sugar (for Chocolate Delight base)
• 2 cup water (for Chocolate Delight base)
• 1 cup cornstarch (for Chocolate Delight base)
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 0.5 cup dark chocolate (melted)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 0.5 cup chopped hazelnuts or walnuts (optional)
• cocoa powder or powdered sugar (for dusting)

Steps

1. 1

   For the Rose Delight: Dissolve 2 cups sugar in 2 cups water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

2. 2

   Mix 1 cup cornstarch and 1 tsp cream of tartar with a little cold water until smooth.

3. 3

   Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the boiling sugar syrup, stirring constantly.

4. 4

   Cook on low heat for 45–60 minutes until the mixture is thick and glossy.

5. 5

   Stir in 2 tbsp rose water and pink food coloring if using.

6. 6

   Pour into a greased tray and let set overnight.

7. 7

   Cut into cubes and coat with a mixture of powdered sugar and cornstarch.

8. 8

   For the Pistachio Delight: Prepare the sugar syrup as in the base recipe.

9. 9

   Add the cornstarch mixture and cook until thick.

10. 10

    Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 cup chopped pistachios.

11. 11

    Pour into a greased pan, let cool, and set overnight.

12. 12

    Cut into cubes and coat with powdered sugar.

13. 13

    For the Orange Delight: Cook the sugar syrup as in the base recipe.

14. 14

    Add the cornstarch mixture and stir until thick.

15. 15

    Mix in 2 tbsp orange juice, 1 tsp orange zest, and orange food coloring if using.

16. 16

    Pour into a tray and let set overnight.

17. 17

    Cut into cubes and coat with powdered sugar.

18. 18

    For the Pomegranate Delight: Heat 2 cups sugar with 1.5 cups pomegranate juice and 0.5 cup water.

19. 19

    Add the cornstarch and cream of tartar mixture while stirring.

20. 20

    Cook until thick and glossy.

21. 21

    Fold in pomegranate seeds if desired.

22. 22

    Pour into a tray and let set overnight.

23. 23

    Cut into cubes and dust with powdered sugar.

24. 24

    For the Coconut Delight: Prepare the sugar syrup as in the base recipe.

25. 25

    Add the cornstarch mixture and cook until thick.

26. 26

    Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.

27. 27

    Pour into a tray and allow to set.

28. 28

    Cut into cubes and roll each cube in desiccated coconut before serving.

29. 29

    For the Chocolate Delight: Make the sugar syrup as in the base recipe.

30. 30

    Add the cornstarch mixture and cook until thick.

31. 31

    Stir in 0.5 cup melted dark chocolate and 2 tbsp cocoa powder.

32. 32

    Fold in 0.5 cup chopped hazelnuts or walnuts if using.

33. 33

    Pour into a greased tray and let set overnight.

34. 34

    Cut into cubes and dust with cocoa powder or powdered sugar.

Notes

Ensure the mixture is cooked long enough (45-60 minutes) to achieve the characteristic chewy texture. Letting the delight set overnight is crucial for clean cutting.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• confectionery
• vegetarian
• gluten-free
• Turkish
• candy
• holiday