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Home » Cuisine » Arabic and Middle Eastern » Homemade Apple-Walnut Turkish Delight

Homemade Apple-Walnut Turkish Delight

December 19, 2011 by Faith 27 Comments

Ever notice how certain movies (even non-foodie movies) are incredibly good at making you crave certain things?  (Which, incidentally, definitely has to be some kind of evil conspiracy.)  It even starts with movies for the little ones; as a kid I couldn’t watch Snow White without wanting an apple (and yes, I understood that the apple in the movie was poisoned, lol!) and Lady and the Tramp has always incited a craving for spaghetti.  And thanks to Edmund and the wickedly alluring White Witch, The Chronicles of Narnia:  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will always mean Turkish delight.

While chocolate is usually my guilty pleasure of choice, I also love a good fruity confection, like pâte de fruit and on the other side of the spectrum, things like gummy worms (but for some strange reason I enjoy gummy worms so much better than gummy bears). And I can never turn down Turkish delight.

I’ve had the full range of Turkish delight in my day – some run-of-the-mill, some terrible, and some that make you sit back, close your eyes, and relish every morsel.  Making them at home was something I’ve wanted to do for over a year now (no doubt, I have my blog to blame for that ;) ), and I was always on the hunt for what looked like the right recipe.

Here’s the inside…lovely caramel-colored and perfectly chewy.

A couple months ago, my chance came.  I had been experimenting for my cookbook (by the way, more info on that coming soon!) with a recipe that called for a ton of peeled apples.  Now, I know I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s my one quirk (lol, I wish it were my one and only quirk, right?  ;) )…I really hate wasting food, even compost-like food, such as grapefruit peels (hello, Candied Grapefruit Peel!) and banana peels (I’ve been dying to make Lorraine’s gorgeous Banana Skin Cake for forever!).  Not to mention, I think it’s a fun challenge to try to find new uses for things that might not seem to have any further use.

Ok, so, the recipe I was experimenting with called for a lot of peeled apples and in the end I was left with a lot of peels.  I had the idea to boil them with water, making an apple-infused liquid (sort of like apple juice or cider, but a bit subtler and much less sweet).  I don’t know how I came up with the idea to use that apple liquid to make apple-flavored Turkish delight, but somehow the idea struck me and I made it my mission to find a good workable Turkish delight recipe, stat. 

About.com came to the rescue with a recipe that looked like it would work very well with a few slight alterations (reading the recipe reviews on sites like that are such a help!).  As far as I know, apple isn’t a very common flavoring for classic Turkish delight, but I happen to love Liberty Orchards’ Aplets, which are a fruity apple-walnut flavored candy that’s similar to Turkish delight, so I thought apple-flavored Turkish delights would be tasty.  I also added rosewater, which is a much more common flavoring for Turkish delight, because (like I talked about in my post for Baked Apples), apples are closely related to roses…so it’s only natural that their flavors would go well together, right?  Right.  :)

Fair Warning:  This recipe is by no means hard to make; but as with any candy recipe, I recommend reading the whole recipe and having your ingredients measured and at the ready before you start.  The warning comes into play when you realize how long it takes to make – when you’re cooking the candy you’ll need about an hour (after you make the apple liquid) to dedicate to stirring while it cooks, and it needs to be stirred frequently so you can’t walk out of the room for very long.  The other time issue is letting the candy dry out (and trust me, if it doesn’t dry out properly you’ll end up with a wrecked batch of Turkish delight…it will weep all over the place).  If it isn’t too hot/humid out, the timeframes listed below should work (6 days total drying time), but if it’s a bit more hot and/or humid, you’ll need more time.

A Note on the Apple Liquid:  You could use apple juice or cider instead of steeping apple peels in water if you prefer; your end result will be more intensely apple flavored but also a bit sweeter (I haven’t experimented with this, but I don’t recommend cutting back on the sugar, even if you use juice or cider…like jams and jellies, this type of candy needs a certain amount of sugar to set).

A Note on the Walnuts:  I used just a bit of walnuts (1/4 cup) in this recipe; you can increase it to up to 1 cup if you prefer, or even omit them if you want.  Or use any nut you like instead.

Apple-Walnut Turkish Delight (Adapted from a recipe for Turkish Delight on About.com)

Yields 45 pieces

4 cups of apple peels/cores

Water

1 teaspoon canola oil

4 cups granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 1/4 cups cornstarch, divided

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 1/2 teaspoons rose water

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (or any nuts you like)

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1.  Add the apple peels/cores to a medium saucepan along with 8 cups of water.  Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn heat down to medium-low and boil (uncovered) 45 minutes.  Turn off heat, cover the saucepan, and steep 30 minutes.  Strain the apple water through a cheesecloth-lined sieve, wringing the cheesecloth to squeeze out all the liquid.  Pour the liquid into a large measuring cup; you should have about 4 1/4 cups; if you don’t, add enough water so that you do.

2.  Line a 9 by 9-inch casserole dish with parchment paper and brush the canola oil onto the paper.

3.  Combine the sugar, lemon juice, and 1 1/2 cups of the apple liquid in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a boil (giving the pan an occasional stir to help the sugar dissolve), then turn heat down and simmer until it reaches 2400F on a candy thermometer.

4.  When the sugar mixture is around 2250F, start heating the cornstarch mixture.  Whisk together the cornstarch, cream of tartar, and remaining 2 3/4 cups of the apple liquid in a 5-quart pot.  Once the mixture is fully whisked (and there are no lumps), turn heat on medium and bring to a boil, whisking constantly.  Turn heat off once the mixture turns thick and gluey.

5.  Once the sugar mixture reaches 2400F, whisk it into the cornstarch mixture.  Turn heat on medium and bring to a full boil, whisking constantly.  Turn heat down to low and simmer 55 to 60 minutes, whisking every 5 to 8 minutes (when it’s done, the mixture will be a deep caramel color and become very difficult to whisk).

6.  Whisk in the rose water and walnuts; pour into the prepared dish and spread evenly with an oiled spatula.  Let the candy sit for 2 days or more (uncovered) at cool room temperature (do not put it in the fridge!). (The top should feel smooth and dry – not sticky at all; if it is still sticky, let it sit a bit longer – a couple days or so – until it doesn’t feel sticky.)

7.  Remove the slab of candy from the dish, flip it over onto a piece of parchment paper so the bottom side is facing up, and let it sit for 2 days or more (uncovered) at room temperature, or until it feels smooth and dry (not sticky).

8.  Use an oiled knife to cut the candy into 45 bite-sized pieces by making 8 cuts in one direction and 4 cuts in the other direction (I recommend cleaning and re-oiling the knife after every cut).  Again, let the candy sit for 2 days or more (uncovered) at room temperature.

9.  Combine the powdered sugar and the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch in a medium bowl.  Toss the candy in this mixture, and then serve.  (Alternatively, once coated in the sugar mixture, the candy can be stored in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 3 or 4 weeks.)

Filed Under: Arabic and Middle Eastern, Candy, Gluten Free Tagged: Apple, Homemade Candy, How to make homemade turkish delight, Lokum, Recipes, Turkish Delight, Walnut

Comments

  1. Magic of Spice says

    December 23, 2011 at 1:54 am

    These are perfectly wonderful and they just are so warm for the Season!
    And I have to check out the banana peel thing :)

    Reply
  2. grace says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    i’ve never eaten this stuff and i never really knew its ingredients, but i’ll always associate it with narnia. :)

    Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    December 21, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    You have really outdone yourself here. Lovely, lovely post, with exquisite, evocative images. Clever ol’ you coming up with the apple liquid too. The natural juice from a succulent pomegranate would be good too, I imagine.

    Reply
  4. Em (Wine and Butter) says

    December 20, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    TOTALLY true about the movies! And im not much of a Turkish Delight girl – although yours looks yummy!!! – but I do LOVE white chocolate!! My ‘treats’ usually involve white chocolate, cheesecake or amaretto.. :) xox

    Reply
  5. Jane says

    December 20, 2011 at 10:38 am

    Oh my gosh, this is great! I hate wasting food too …can’t wait to try this!! Beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  6. Veronica Miller says

    December 20, 2011 at 3:49 am

    Faith! When I was a little girl and read Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe for the first time, I so wanted some Turkish Delight and I still have not had any to this day! My husband is also dying to try it because of the same book/movie, and I have even added making it to my bucket list! So I was pretty stoked to see you feature a recipe for it. :) I also have that quirk about hating to waste food and instead of throwing apple peels and carrot peels out, I throw them in the yard for the neighborhood bunnies, squirrels, and birds. Never knew you could use banana peels for anything though! What a revelation. I think it was really smart to use the apple peels in this way, but I’d expect nothing less from you. You have the best ideas!

    Reply
  7. Jessica says

    December 20, 2011 at 12:40 am

    I must try this! You are seriously too funny, Faith, but I have to say that I actually do crave apples too (poison or not) when imagining Snow White. Isn’t Chronicles of Narnia such a great movie?! These ARE perfect for it.

    Reply
  8. Reeni says

    December 19, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    I never had Turkish delight – but I want to now! These look delicious and you have such patience to wait 6 days to eat them!

    Reply
  9. BeadedTail says

    December 19, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    You are just so darn creative! Since those are made with apples they count as fruit right? :)

    Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    December 19, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    These are great photos and you were so creative with the recipe.

    Reply
  11. Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says

    December 19, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    I love this idea Faith! I am also of the mind of using all parts of the fruit / vegetable – I really love this :)

    Reply
  12. Barbara says

    December 19, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Interesting, Faith. I love Turkish delight; never would have used walnuts and apple skins though. :) I read someplace about boiling cider to make an intense apple-tasting syrup. Wonder if that would work here?
    And I am even more intrigued by Lorraine’s banana skin cake. Will definitely be trying that in January.

    (Did you get that gorgeous teapot recently in your travels?)

    Reply
    • Faith says

      December 19, 2011 at 3:30 pm

      Barbara, Glad to hear you’re intrigued by Lorraine’s cake — it really is a beauty!

      Reply
  13. Hannah says

    December 19, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    Stunning photos, and such an enticing candy! I’ve wanted to make turkish delight for a very long time, but hadn’t considered an apple flavor. That sounds even better!

    Reply
  14. [email protected] says

    December 19, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    I so love Turkish Delight. And that is brilliant to use the apple water…like a stock. So pretty.

    Reply
  15. Delishhh says

    December 19, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    Love these – and they look gorgeous – but haven’t had these in years. Happy Holidays to you!

    Reply
  16. Faith @ For the Health of It says

    December 19, 2011 at 10:25 am

    Before I even clicked over to the full post from reader, I had been thinking “ooh, just like in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!” Haha. Nice association :D

    Reply
  17. Monet says

    December 19, 2011 at 9:32 am

    Oh yes! I’ve been craving Turkish Delight since a little girl. Thank you for whetting my appetite. Now I don’t want to go to work, I just want to get in the kitchen and make these treats! I hope you have a blessed week, my friend!

    Reply
  18. Susan says

    December 19, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Bravo to you for tackling this confection and doing such a beautiful job! I\’ve never had Turkish Delight but it looks delicious and so worth the effort.

    Reply
  19. Patty Price says

    December 19, 2011 at 8:41 am

    Lovely photos and recipe Faith! I can’t wait to see your cookbook!
    This recipe reminds me of a cake a friend gave me that uses apple peels to make a syrup to glaze the cake, will have to look for it!

    Reply
  20. Joanne says

    December 19, 2011 at 7:49 am

    I’ve actually never had turkish delight, but it ALWAYS reminds me of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (and vice versa!). The two are inextricably linked in my mind.

    though I’ve never had them, I think making an apple-infused version sounds delicious! I love all apple-y confections.

    Reply
  21. Diane says

    December 19, 2011 at 7:38 am

    I love Turkish Delight but never though of making it myself. I have all ingredients in the house so will have a go. Thanks for this Diane

    Reply
  22. deana says

    December 19, 2011 at 6:41 am

    Leave it to you, Faith, to be so smart as to use peels. I don’t feel guilty about vegetable peels and such because I take them to the compost lady every week but still… doing this is like getting 2 for the price of one.

    I admit to never having made turkish delight although I have been tempted from time to time. The light coming through them in a Martha Stewart mag years ago took my breath away…. all that sugar feels like snow and Christmas, doesn’t it???
    Lovely pic… may get brave and try it!

    Reply
  23. Amy (Savory Moments) says

    December 19, 2011 at 6:34 am

    How have I never heard of this treat before? I looks very interesting!

    Reply
  24. Priya says

    December 19, 2011 at 5:56 am

    Incredible turkish delight..well done.

    Reply
  25. Rosa says

    December 19, 2011 at 5:55 am

    Wonderful! That is my favorite version, together with honey loukoum…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  26. Erica says

    December 19, 2011 at 5:42 am

    Ive never heard of these! I much prefer fruit/sugar to chocolate-im intrigued! Merry almost christmas

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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