The Turkish name for this confection, lokma or lokum, means morsel, and these sweet squares are exactly that: a delicately chewy treat, perfectly sweetened, and infused with the fascinating and sweet flavor of either rosewater, bergamot, lemon, or mastic. Dates, pistachios, hazelnuts, and walnuts are bound in a gel-like concoction that is then perfumed with other flavors and colored by food coloring or natural ingredients. The squares are dusted with icing sugar, cream of tartar, or copra (dried coconut meat) to avoid sticking and caking, and are usually sold by the pound or in decorative, festive boxes with different flavors.

Vegan and gluten free, freshly made Turkish delight needs top-quality ingredients for best results, as store-bought sweets are commercially produced with flavor and quality often sacrificed for value. Check Middle Eastern online retailers or local specialized supermarkets to find rosewater or other Middle Eastern flavors that can be hard to find in standard food stores.