Authentic Turkish Delight (Lokum)

Ingredients

Granulated sugar

4 cups

Cornstarch

1 cup plus 1 cup for dusting

Cream of tartar

1 teaspoon

Rosewater

2 tablespoons

Red food coloring

4-5 drops

Powdered sugar

1/2 cup for dusting

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar along with 4 cups of water. Mix these ingredients together until well combined.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture begins to boil.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan and let it simmer for about an hour. Remember to stir frequently to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
4. After an hour, add 2 tablespoons of rosewater and 4-5 drops of red food coloring into the mixture. Stir well to distribute the color and flavor evenly.
5. Prepare a 9-inch pan by lining it with a mixture of 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Make sure all sides are well-coated.
6. Pour the hot Lokum mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Leave it to cool at room temperature before refrigerating overnight to set.
7. The next day, turn the set Turkish Delight out onto a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut it into 1-inch squares.
8. Coat each piece thoroughly in the remaining cornstarch and powdered sugar mixture to prevent them from sticking to each other. Your Turkish Delight is now ready to serve!