Turkish delight recipe

Here’s a classic recipe for making Turkish Delight (Lokum), a traditional Turkish confection:

Ingredients:
For the syrup:

4 cups granulated sugar
1 ½ cups water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the mixture:

1 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
4 ½ cups water
1 tablespoon rosewater (or any other flavoring like lemon or orange extract)
Food coloring (optional)
For dusting:

1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup cornstarch
Instructions:
Prepare the Syrup:

In a saucepan, combine granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice.
Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage (240°F or 115°C on a candy thermometer).
Prepare the Mixture:

In a large pot, combine cornstarch and cream of tartar.
Gradually add water, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and becomes a paste.
Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook, stirring, until it turns into a thick, smooth consistency.
Combine Syrup and Mixture:

Gradually add the hot syrup to the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the pot (this may take 1-2 hours).
Flavor and Color:

Stir in the rosewater (or other flavoring) and food coloring if using.
Set the Turkish Delight:

Grease a square baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Pour the mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.
Allow it to cool and set for several hours or overnight.
Dust and Cut:

Mix powdered sugar and cornstarch together for dusting.
Dust a cutting board with the sugar-cornstarch mixture.
Turn the Turkish Delight out onto the board and dust the top with more sugar-cornstarch mixture.
Cut into small squares or rectangles.
Roll each piece in the sugar-cornstarch mixture to coat all sides.
Storage:
Store the Turkish Delight in an airtight container at room temperature. It should keep for several weeks.