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Turkish delight in a round tin with coconut around it
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5 from 40 votes

Easy Turkish Delight Narnia Candy | Lokum

Easy Pomegranate Turkish Delight recipe that you can make and delight your kids or adults alike!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Resting Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Servings: 64 pieces
Calories: 50kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (divided)
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup corn starch (plus 2 tbsps)
  • 3 packs gelatin (or 2 tablespoon gelatin)
  • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • cups water
  • tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup pomegranate juice
  • tablespoon rose water
  • cup pistachios (shelled and toasted)

Instructions

  • Prepare an 8" x 8" pan by lining it with parchment paper. Use enough paper to go up to the sides of the pan. Sprinkle some coconut on the parchment paper and set aside until needed.
  • Measure and place your ingredients within easy reach. Add sugar, cornstarch, gelatin, and cream of tartar in a medium-sized pot. Whisk to combine.
  • Mix cold water and lemon juice in a large cup or bowl. Pour the liquid over the contents of the pot. Whisk quickly, to prevent clumping, until smooth.
  • Continue to whisk, over low heat, until very thick. This should take approximately 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a pan on another burner and toast the shelled pistachios over low heat for a few minutes.
  • After approximately 20 minutes of cooking, whisk the pomegranate juice and rose water into the pot. (If you prefer a deeper color add some red food coloring). If the mixture is too thick, you can use a spoon or a spatula to mix it. Stir continuously to prevent the bottom of the mixture from sticking to the pot.
  • The Turkish delight will start to bubble and eventually pull away from the bottom of the pot. When this happens, stir nuts into the mixture and turn out into the prepared pan.
  • Smooth the top of the Turkish delight with a spatula and sprinkle with coconut. Allow to set on the counter for approximately 8 hours or overnight.
  • Remove the Turkish delight from the pan by lifting the parchment paper out of the pan and flipping it onto a cutting board. Dust the cutting board with coconut and cut the Turkish delight into cubes using a sharp knife or a dough scraper.
  • Toss cubed Turkish delight with the remaining coconut to keep the pieces from sticking together. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Sometimes Mastic Gum, or (Gum Arabic) is used in Lokum recipes, which is a resin from the mastic tree. Mastic Gum comes in small chunks and as a powder and is used as a food stabilizer and a thickening agent in fillings, soft candy, and chewing gum. If purchasing the powder form of Gum Arabic, make sure the label reads "food safe" as some brands are used in crafting and may have other ingredients added.
  • If you prefer a firmer texture, allow the cubed Turkish delight to sit out on the counter, uncovered overnight.
  • Most often, Lokum is tossed in a mixture of cornstarch and confectioner's sugar, however, I prefer using coconut.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 10g