Traditional Turkish Delight Recipe Using Cornstarch

Steps:

• 1. Generously coat the baking sheet with cooking spray, and set it aside.
• 2. Make the sugar syrup: Combine the sugar, honey, water, and cream of tartar in a medium-size (4-quart) saucepan, and mix with the heatproof spatula to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, and insert the candy thermometer. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook, without stirring, until the temperature reaches 260°F/127°C (hard ball stage), about 15 minutes.
• 3. Meanwhile (keeping an eye on the sugar syrup), make the cornstarch mixture: In a large (6-quart) saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch, confectioners' sugar, water, and cream of tartar to combine. Once the sugar syrup reaches 250°F/121°C (firm ball stage), place the cornstarch mixture over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with the whisk; it will thicken and boil quickly, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat, but leave the mixture on the hot burner; stir well a few times with a whisk, and set aside.
• 4. At this point, the sugar syrup should be close to 260°F/127°C (hard ball stage); when it reaches that temperature, remove it from the heat and carefully pour it into the cornstarch mixture. Stir well with the whisk to combine. Bring everything to a low boil over medium heat. Then reduce the heat to low and cook at a low simmer, stirring frequently with the spatula, until the mixture is thick and gluey and a light golden color, 30 to 45 minutes. Don't turn your back on it! You need to make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan with the spatula every few minutes to prevent scorching and lumps.
• 5. Remove the pan from the heat and add the flavorings: stir in the rosewater, pistachios, and food coloring (if using).
• 6. Wearing oven mitts, immediately pour the candy into the prepared baking sheet. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the candy to prevent it from forming a skin as it cools. Allow it to cool until it has set and is firm and cool to the touch, 6 to 8 hours.
• 7. Gently peel off the plastic wrap. Dust the cutting board with the confectioners' sugar. Run the tip of a paring knife between the candy and the sheet, and gently turn the candy out onto the prepared board.
• 8. Place the cornstarch mixture in a medium-size bowl. Generously coat a sharp chef's knife with cooking spray, and use a gentle slicing motion to cut the candy into 1-inch squares. Dredge the pieces in the cornstarch mixture until well coated.
• Store the Turkish delights, layered with wax paper, in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 1 month.

Steps:

• Oil a shallow square metal or silicone baking tray, about 18 x 18cm. Put the sugar in a pan with the cream of tartar and 500ml water and heat gently at first, stirring so that the sugar melts. Then, turn up the heat and boil for 10-15 mins until the mixture is a little more syrupy. If you have a sugar thermometer, it should reach 115-118C.
• Stir the cornflour into 150ml water, then, whisking all the time, pour it into the sugar syrup. Keep whisking, until everything combines to make a smooth, gloopy mix. Take out the whisk and start to stir with a spatula or spoon over a medium heat. Keep stirring until the mixture is thick enough to see a clear line drawn through it with the spoon and it starts to leave the sides of the pan. It will be very thick and make big bubbles that burst as it cooks, so be careful. This can take up to an hour. Test the mix by dropping a small amount into very cold water; it should form a ball that can be pressed gently when cold and that will feel a little springy.
• Stir in the rosewater or rose syrup and the food colouring, if using, then pour everything into the tray and level the top. Leave to cool and set completely. Sieve some cornflour and icing sugar together over a board and carefully turn out the Turkish delight. Cover it with more icing sugar and cornflour and cut it into cubes with a sharp knife. Dust with yet more of the icing sugar mixture and move the pieces apart so they can dry. Can be stored openly or in small cardboard boxes or bags for up to 1 week.

Steps:

• Combine water, white sugar, and gelatin in a large microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave on high for 7 minutes. Stir sugar mixture and cook in microwave for 7 minutes more.
• Mix 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, corn flour, and cream of tartar together in a bowl; stir into sugar mixture. Heat mixture in microwave on high for 6 minutes more. Stir rose water and food coloring into mixture.
• Lightly grease a 7x11-inch baking dish. Pour mixture into the greased dish; refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Cut Turkish delight into small squares using a wet knife.
• Place 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Roll Turkish delight in the confectioners' sugar until evenly coated. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Oil an 8-inch-square baking pan, and set aside. Place the sugar, 1 cup water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan, and stir to combine. Place over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil. If there are sugar crystals on the side of the pan, brush down with a pastry brush dipped in water. Clip on a candy thermometer, and heat to 240 degrees. Remove sugar syrup from the heat, and set aside.
• Combine 3/4 cup cornstarch, cream of tartar, and 3/4 cup water in a medium saucepan, and whisk until smooth and fully combined. Bring the remaining 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a separate pan; add to cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly. Place over medium heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture becomes quite thick and just comes to a boil.
• Pour the sugar syrup into the cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly, and reduce heat to medium. Gently simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in rose water, food coloring, and almonds, if using. Pour into the prepared pan, and let set overnight. Combine the confectioners' sugar with the remaining 1/4 cup cornstarch. Sprinkle some of the mixture in an even layer over a cutting board, and unmold the Turkish delight onto it. Sprinkle the top of the candy with more of the sugar mixture. Using a sharp knife, cut into 1-inch squares. Let sit uncovered overnight. Just before serving, dust with the remaining sugar mixture. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.