Turkish Delight Roll – Lokum Recipe

Introduction

Turkish Delight Roll, or Lokum, is a soft, chewy nougat filled with a rich hazelnut paste and coated in crunchy almonds. This traditional confection combines honey, egg whites, and nuts for a delightful treat that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying with tea.

Ingredients

• 2 Egg whites
• 250 g Sugar (1¼ cups, granulated)
• 120 ml Water (½ cup)
• 100 g Honey (thick, ⅓ cup)
• 5 g Gelatin (½ packet)
• 1 tsp Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
• Pinch of Salt
• 120 g Cornstarch (1 cup, for dusting)
• 200 g Roasted hazelnuts (½ cup)
• 100 g Powdered sugar (¾ cup)
• 3–4 tbsp Sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract or powder
• Pinch of Salt
• 50–70 g Chopped roasted almonds (½ cup)
• Vegetable oil (for greasing)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the syrup by heating sugar, water, and honey in a saucepan until it reaches 140°C (285°F) using a candy thermometer.
2. Step 2: While the syrup cooks, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Add vanilla powder or extract if using.
3. Step 3: Soak the gelatin in cold water until soft, then squeeze out excess water and stir it into the hot syrup.
4. Step 4: Slowly pour the hot syrup into the egg whites while beating on high. Continue beating for 5 minutes until the mixture is glossy and thick.
5. Step 5: Grease a silicone mat or parchment paper with vegetable oil. Pour the nougat mixture onto it and gently spread with greased hands. Let it rest uncovered overnight at room temperature.
6. Step 6: Toast the hazelnuts and almonds separately in the oven for 10 minutes and set aside.
7. Step 7: Blend the hazelnuts until smooth, then add powdered sugar and blend again. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk until a soft, firm paste forms.
8. Step 8: Roughly chop some almonds and mix them into the hazelnut filling. Save the remaining almonds for coating the roll later. Shape the filling into two logs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
9. Step 9: The next day, grease a rolling pin with vegetable oil and roll out the nougat, folding and rolling it about 3 times to develop texture.
10. Step 10: Clean the silicone mat or use new parchment paper. Dust the surface and rolling pin with cornstarch to prevent sticking. Roll and fold the nougat 3–4 times, adding extra cornstarch as needed.
11. Step 11: Roll out the nougat into a square. Place the hazelnut logs along one edge and roll inward, forming two complete turns. Trim any excess nougat.
12. Step 12: Lightly wet your hands and the roll to make it tacky. Roll it in the chopped toasted almonds until coated.
13. Step 13: Slice the roll into 2 cm (¾ inch) thick pieces and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use a candy thermometer for precise syrup temperature to ensure the right nougat texture.
• Vanilla sugar or extract can be adjusted to taste for a subtle flavor boost.
• Try substituting hazelnuts with pistachios or walnuts for a different nutty twist.
• Dust the nougat generously with cornstarch to prevent stickiness while rolling and slicing.

Storage

Store Turkish Delight Roll in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep it away from moisture to maintain its texture. If refrigerated, let it warm to room temperature before serving for the best chewiness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without gelatin?

Gelatin is essential for the nougat’s structure and chewiness, so it is not recommended to omit it. However, vegetarian alternatives like agar-agar do not yield the same texture.

How do I keep the nougat from sticking?

Dusting your surface, rolling pin, and hands generously with cornstarch helps prevent sticking. Also, greasing your hands and tools lightly with vegetable oil during shaping keeps the nougat manageable.

Turkish Delight Roll – Lokum Recipe

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4.4 from 109 reviews

Turkish Delight Roll, also known as Lokum, is a classic confection made with a glossy nougat base combined with a rich, nutty filling of roasted hazelnuts and almonds. This delightful treat is rolled and coated with chopped nuts, offering a chewy texture balanced by a sweet, creamy filling. Perfect for gifting or enjoying with tea, this recipe involves careful preparation, including making a sugar syrup, whipping egg whites, and roasting nuts to create an authentic Turkish dessert experience.

• Author: Ruby
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 18 hours (including overnight rests)
• Yield: Approximately 20–24 slices 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Turkish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Nougat

• 2 Egg whites
• 250 g Sugar (1¼ cups, granulated)
• 120 ml Water (½ cup)
• 100 g Honey, thick (⅓ cup)
• 5 g Gelatin (1/2 packet)
• 1 tsp Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
• Pinch of Salt
• 120 g Cornstarch (1 cup, for dusting when rolling)
• Vegetable oil (for greasing)

Filling and Coating

• 200 g Roasted hazelnuts (½ cups)
• 100 g Powdered sugar (¾ cup)
• 3–4 tbsp Sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract or vanilla powder
• 1 Pinch Salt
• 50–70 g Chopped roasted almonds (½ cup)

Instructions

1. Make the Syrup: In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, and honey. Heat the mixture, monitoring with a candy thermometer, until it reaches 140°C (285°F), the hard-ball stage.
2. Whip the Egg Whites: While the syrup cooks, beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. If using, add vanilla powder during this step.
3. Soften Gelatin: Soak gelatin sheets in cold water until they soften. Squeeze out excess water and stir the gelatin into the hot syrup before combining with the egg whites.
4. Combine Syrup and Egg Whites: Slowly pour the hot syrup into the whipped egg whites while beating continuously on high speed. Continue beating for 5 minutes until the mixture is glossy and thick.
5. Prepare Nougat Base: Grease a silicone mat or parchment paper with vegetable oil. Pour the nougat mixture onto it and gently spread using greased hands. Leave the nougat uncovered overnight at room temperature to set.
6. Toast the Nuts: Roast hazelnuts in the oven for 10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Toast almonds separately and set aside.
7. Make the Filling: Blend the roasted hazelnuts into a smooth paste. Add powdered sugar and blend again. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk until a soft but firm paste forms. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to flavor.
8. Mix in Almonds: Roughly chop some toasted almonds and fold them into the hazelnut filling paste. Reserve remaining almonds for coating the roll.
9. Shape Filling Logs: Form the filling into two logs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight to firm up.
10. Work the Nougat: The next day, grease a rolling pin with vegetable oil and roll out the nougat on a greased or cornstarch-dusted surface. Fold and roll the nougat 3 to 4 times to improve texture, using extra cornstarch to prevent sticking.
11. Roll the Turkish Delight: Roll out the nougat into a square. Place the hazelnut filling logs near the edge and carefully roll inward, encasing the filling within the nougat. Roll until you have completed two full turns, trimming any excess nougat.
12. Coat the Roll: Lightly moisten your hands and the surface of the nougat roll to make it tacky. Roll the entire log in the reserved chopped toasted almonds until evenly coated.
13. Slice and Serve: Slice the roll into 2 cm (¾ inch) thick pieces. Serve fresh or store in an airtight container.

Notes

• Ensure the candy thermometer is accurate to reach the correct syrup temperature for proper nougat consistency.
• Using roasted hazelnuts and almonds enhances the flavor and texture of the filling and coating.
• Vegetable oil is used to prevent sticking while working with nougat and rolling pin.
• The nougat needs to rest overnight to set properly, so plan ahead.
• The cornstarch dusting helps manage the stickiness when rolling the nougat.
• Store Turkish Delight slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Keywords: Turkish Delight, Lokum, Turkish Dessert, Nougat Roll, Hazelnut Filling, Almond Coating, Traditional Turkish Sweet