How to Make Şekerpare: A Sweet Taste of Turkish Delight

Şekerpare, which translates to “a piece of sweetness,” is a traditional Turkish dessert that’s as delightful to eat as it is to say. Imagine biting into a tender, buttery cookie, drenched in a light, lemony syrup – that’s şekerpare! It’s the kind of treat that makes you want to lick the plate and reach for another.

If you’re looking for a unique and easy dessert to impress your family and friends, your search ends here. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of making şekerpare, from the essential ingredients to tips for achieving that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. Let’s get started!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cookies:

• 2 large eggs (1 yolk separated for brushing)
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the syrup:

• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups (600ml) water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Şekerpare Dough

Tools of the Trade

• Two mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Electric mixer (optional, but recommended)
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Saucepan

Step-by-Step Guide to Şekerpare Bliss

1. Preparing the Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is where an electric mixer comes in handy!
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.

2. Shaping the Şekerpare

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Divide the dough into small, walnut-sized balls.
3. Gently press each ball between your palms to flatten it slightly, creating a disc-like shape.
4. Arrange the shaped cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each one.

Unbaked Şekerpare Cookies

3. Baking to Golden Perfection

1. Lightly beat the reserved egg yolk and brush it over the tops of the cookies. This will give them a beautiful golden brown color.
2. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies start to turn golden.

4. Creating the Sweet Symphony: Syrup Time!

While the cookies are baking, it’s time to prepare the syrup:

1. Combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
3. Once the syrup comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This will allow the syrup to slightly thicken.

5. The Grand Finale: Uniting Cookies and Syrup

1. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, pour the hot syrup evenly over them. Don’t be alarmed if it seems like a lot of syrup; the cookies will soak it all up!
2. Let the şekerpare cool completely at room temperature. This is crucial, as it allows the cookies to absorb the syrup and become incredibly soft and flavorful.

Tips and Tricks for Şekerpare Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using softened butter and room-temperature eggs will help create a smoother, more consistent dough.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Syrup Consistency: The syrup should be slightly thick but not too sticky. If it seems too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
• Cooling Time: Be patient! Allowing the şekerpare to cool completely is essential for the cookies to fully absorb the syrup and achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Storage: Store leftover şekerpare in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving and Enjoying Your Şekerpare

Şekerpare is traditionally served at room temperature. The cookies should be soft, moist, and infused with the sweet lemony syrup. You can sprinkle some chopped pistachios or grated coconut on top for added texture and flavor.

Plated Şekerpare

Making şekerpare is a journey of culinary delight, and the results are absolutely worth it. With a little patience and these simple steps, you can recreate this classic Turkish dessert in your own kitchen. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and embark on a sweet adventure!