Turkish Delight

This sweet, orange-flavored dessert is slightly exotic and is known by many people who have read the book 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe'. This would do well for a tea party, a holiday party, or even if you just wanted to surprise someone.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 302 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup cold water
• ¾ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup orange juice
• 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons orange zest
• confectioners' sugar for dusting
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 3 (.25 ounce) envelopes unflavored gelatin
• ¾ cup chopped pistachio nuts

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the temperature reaches 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) on a candy thermometer. Set aside and keep hot.

Step 2

Stir together orange juice and orange zest, sprinkle with gelatin, and set aside. In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 1/2 cup cold water, then stir into hot syrup. Place over medium-low heat, and simmer, stirring gently, until very thick.

Step 3

Remove syrup from heat, stir in orange juice mixture, vanilla, and pistachios. Sprinkle a 8x8-inch pan generously with confectioners' sugar. Pour the Turkish delight into the pan, and let cool in a cool, dry place (not the refrigerator) until set, 3 to 4 hours.

Step 4

When cool, sprinkle the top with another thick layer of powdered sugar. Cut into 1-inch squares, and dredge each well with confectioners' sugar. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.