Turkish Delight (Lokum) with Rose

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Medium

A soft, chewy gel candy cooked from sugar and starch, scented with rose water and cut into squares. It takes patience and constant stirring. Makes 49 pieces in about 9 hr 35 min.

Prep 20 min

Cook 75 min

Cooling 8 hr

Total 9 hr 35 min

Yield 49 pieces

Diet Dairy free, Gluten free, Vegan

Ingredients

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pieces

2 cups (400 g)granulated sugar
⅔ cup (150 ml)water, for the syrup
2 tbsp (30 ml)fresh lemon juice
⅔ cup (90 g)cornstarch, for the gel
¾ tsp (2 g)cream of tartar
1 ⅔ cups (400 ml)water, for the gel
1 tbsp (15 ml)rose water
⅓ cup (40 g)shelled pistachios, chopped
½ cup (60 g)powdered sugar
3 ½ tbsp (30 g)cornstarch, for the dusting

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Instructions

Oil an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan and line it with parchment.
In a pot, cook the sugar, 150 ml water and lemon juice to 240 F (116 C) without stirring.
In a separate, large pot, whisk the cornstarch, cream of tartar and 400 ml water to a smooth paste and heat over medium, whisking, until it thickens.
Pour the hot syrup slowly into the starch mixture, whisking constantly; it will spit.
Simmer over low heat for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring often, until the gel turns pale gold, translucent and very thick.
Stir in the rose water and pistachios.
Spread into the pan, smooth the top and let it set uncovered for 8 hours or overnight.
Mix the powdered sugar and cornstarch, dust a board, turn out the slab and cut into squares with an oiled knife; toss in the dust.

Tips

Keep the heat low and stir often near the end; the gel scorches easily.
The cream of tartar helps stop the syrup from crystallizing.
Cut with an oiled, sharp knife and re-dust the pieces to stop them sticking together.
Sugar syrup reaches 240 F (116 C) and the combined mixture spits; use long-handled tools and wear oven mitts.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make turkish delight (lokum) with rose?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 1 hour 15 minutes of cooking, plus 8 hours to chill. The recipe makes 49 pieces.

How should I store turkish delight (lokum) with rose?

Store in an airtight container, layered with dusting sugar, at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.

Can I make turkish delight (lokum) with rose ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as written. Check that packaged ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and plant butter are labeled vegan.

Lokum is a starch-and-sugar gel candy of the Ottoman world, flavored with rose water, citrus or nuts and dusted with sugar. Serve it with strong Turkish coffee.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 49 servings this recipe makes.

50 Calories / serving

0.4g Fat

11.9g Carbs

0.2g Protein

9.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (49 servings): ~2450 cal · 20g fat · 583g carbs · 10g protein · 461g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.