Elderflower Turkish Delight | Authentic Gelatine-Free Lokum Recipe
"The most popular use for elderflowers is cordial or wine, but Turkish Delight is DIVINE!" 🍯🌸✨
Elderflower Turkish Delight — floral, fragrant, and gelatine-free 🍯🌸
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The most popular use for elderflowers at this time of year is making cordial or wine, but how about Turkish Delight!
Last year I made it using a recipe on the River Cottage website and it was DIVINE! However it used gelatine and I then discovered that real Turkish Delight doesn't use gelatine at all, which meant my vegetarian friends had to abstain. So this year I've made it again without gelatine, after finding an adapted recipe on Alison Delaney's Nibbling on Nature blog. It has worked equally well and has had rave reviews from all my tasters (it does make a lot)! It's easy to make but does involve a bit of elbow grease.
📌 In This Article
🌸 Why Elderflower Turkish Delight?
🍯 Floral & Fragrant
The delicate honeyed notes of elderflowers elevate traditional Turkish delight to an extraordinary level.
🌱 Gelatine-Free & Vegetarian
Real Turkish delight uses cornflour, not gelatine — making it perfect for vegetarian friends and family.
🎁 Perfect for Gifting
Handmade elderflower Turkish delight makes an impressive, unique gift for any occasion.
🍃 Foraged & Seasonal
Elderflowers are at their peak in June — capture their essence in this stunning confection.
🌿 Forager's Note: The elderflowers are just coming to the end of their season now but if you hurry there are still a few trees out. Do make sure you use only the freshest flower heads as any that are starting to go brown will smell like cat's wee and taint the result! If you can't find any flower heads left you could make this with elderflower cordial instead. Use about 2 tablespoons neat cordial and maybe reduce the amount of sugar to compensate.
📝 Elderflower Turkish Delight Recipe
Yield: 36 pieces | Prep time: 30 minutes | Cook time: 60 minutes | Set time: Overnight
📦 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Elderflower heads (fresh) / Elderflower cordial (alternative) | 20 heads / 2 tbsp cordial |
| Granulated sugar | 700g |
| Lemon juice (fresh) | Juice of 2 lemons |
| Water | 400ml |
| Cream of tartar | 1 heaped teaspoon |
| Cornflour (plus extra for dusting) | 130g |
| Icing sugar | 30g |
📝 Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare the Elderflowers
Strip the blossoms from the elderflower heads and tie them into a muslin bag. This will allow the floral flavor to infuse while cooking.
Step 2 – Make the Sugar Syrup
Gently dissolve the sugar in a heavy-based pan with 300ml of the water and the lemon juice. Leave to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3 – Prepare the Tin
Line an 8-inch square baking tin with baking parchment, and dust with extra cornflour. Some recipes suggest oiling the tin as well.
Step 4 – Make the Cornflour Slurry
Mix the 130g cornflour, cream of tartar, and remaining cold water (100ml) until smooth, then add to the cooled lemon sugar syrup.
Step 5 – Infuse & Thicken
Suspend the muslin bag in the pan and put back on a low heat, stirring continuously. Give the muslin bag a good squeeze every now and then with the back of the spoon. Gradually bring the mix up to the boil. The mix will start to thicken after about 10-15 minutes. Keep stirring!
Step 6 – Low Simmer (The Secret to Perfection)
Rather than keeping it at a boil, bring it to the boil then turn it right down to the lowest setting and simmer for an hour or so, stirring every few minutes. This low-simmer method is what makes this recipe work perfectly! The mixture will become very gloopy and be quite hard to stir. Test for set by dropping a little onto a cold plate — it should firm up rapidly.
Step 7 – Pour and Set
Remove the muslin bag (squeeze every last drop back into the pan). Pour into the prepared baking tin and leave to cool and fully set overnight at room temperature. Do NOT refrigerate.
Step 8 – Cut and Dust
Before turning out, sprinkle liberally with a mix of cornflour and icing sugar. This will stop it gluing itself to the worktop. Then cut into squares with a pair of sharp kitchen scissors (easier than using a knife) or a pizza cutter — it works perfectly! Roll each piece in more cornflour and icing sugar to coat completely.
🍽️ 20+ Ways to Use Elderflower Turkish Delight
Afternoon Tea
Classic pairing with tea
Cheese Board
Pair with soft cheeses
Gift Boxes
Wedding or holiday favors
Ice Cream
Chopped as topping
Cake Filling
Layer between sponge
Coffee Companion
Perfect with Turkish coffee
🔬 The Science of Turkish Delight (Lokum)
Traditional Turkish delight gets its unique chewy texture from cornflour (cornstarch) and cream of tartar — not gelatine. The cream of tartar acts as an acid that helps prevent sugar crystallization, ensuring a smooth, non-grainy texture. The low-simmer method for an hour allows the cornflour to fully hydrate and the sugar to reach the perfect concentration without burning.
Temperature tip: For perfect results, the mixture should reach the "soft ball" stage (240°F/115°C) before setting. The cold plate test is a reliable home method.
⭐ Community Rave Review: "My first go at elderflower Turkish delight! So pleased with it, it's delicious. My husband doesn't usually like Turkish delight but loves this. Thanks to this group for the inspiration!"
— Verified home cook, June 2026
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🍯 Conclusion
Elderflower Turkish Delight offers a delightful fusion of floral sweetness and traditional confectionery craftsmanship, showcasing the versatility of this beloved summer flower. The delicate elderflower notes and chewy, satisfying texture make this unique preserve a standout addition to any pantry. 'Nibbling on Nature' also has a recipe for Elderflower Cheesecake, which sounds absolutely delicious — that may have to wait until next year now though! Embrace the process and savor the deliciousness as you enjoy the fruits of your labor. This traditional gelatine-free lokum is sure to impress and leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
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