Turkish Delight Recipe
Ingredients
½ cup cornstarch
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup (toasted) slivered almonds
1+2/3 cups water
½ tsp almond extract
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
2¼ cups confectioner's sugar
Additional confectioner's sugar for coating
Vegetable oil for greasing the pan
Other Requirements
9 x 5-inch loaf pan
Wax paper
Candy thermometer
One heavy small and one heavy medium saucepan
Airtight container
Preparation Method
•Take the 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and line it with wax paper in such a manner that it overhangs the edges of the loaf tin by at least 2 inches. Now, drizzle the vegetable oil onto the wax paper and brush it across the paper and set the pan aside.
•Next, take the heavy small saucepan and put the ¾ cup granulated sugar, 1/8 tsp cream of tartar, 2/3 cup water into it.
•Place the pan over medium heat and stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil.
•To the inside of the saucepan, clip the candy thermometer and allow the mixture to cook (without stirring) until the mixture reaches a temperature of 260° F (hard ball).
•When the desired temperature is attained, turn of the heat and cover it with a lid to keep it warm. A wonder thick syrup will be formed.
•Next, take the heavy medium saucepan and put into it 2 cups confectioner's sugar, 1 cup water and ½ cup cornstarch.
•Set this saucepan on medium heat and stir until the cornstarch and sugar dissolve and the mixture comes to a boil.
•The mixture will immediately turn into a thick paste, so keep your earlier prepared syrup (heavy small saucepan one) in the vicinity. You will need to add it as soon as the mixture in the heavy medium saucepan thickens.
•Once the mixture thickens, add the previously prepared warm syrup into it, all the while stirring constantly until the combined mixture turns smooth and creamy white.
•Stir continuously and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.
•Quickly add the almond extract and the almonds into the above mixture and mix thoroughly.
•Spread this mixture evenly into the greased loaf pan that was earlier prepared and set aside.
•The candy will require at least 6-8 hours to set, so you could leave it to set overnight at room temperature.
•Once it's set, gently lift the wax paper from the loaf pan and remove the candy. Sprinkle the rest of the ¼ cup of confectioner's sugar onto the candy.
•You will need to place additional confectioner's sugar in a tray so as to roll the candy pieces as soon as they are cut. This prevents them from sticking together.
•Cut the candy slab into bite-sized pieces and roll each of them in the tray with confectioner's sugar.
•Store the candy pieces in an airtight container by placing them in layers and separating each layer with wax paper. Your delicious Turkish Delights are ready!
The above mentioned preparation method is a standard one and can be used as a basic method to prepare any variation of Turkish delight. For preparing the variations, you will need to substitute just two or three minor ingredients with no alteration in the preparation procedure.
