Lokma is a Turkish fried sweet dough that is covered in a simple syrup. Served as a dessert, lokma is a popular coffee accompaniment. You can add chocolate sauce, honey, cinnamon, sesame, or grated walnuts to these bite-size pastries.
They are not to be confused with awamat, which are crisp doughnut balls from Lebanon that are fried until they are golden brown and crispy and then coated with simple syrup.
Lokma is often fried in batches and served to attendees of special occasions, such as weddings, business events, house parties, and even funerals.
The tasty treat is especially popular in Western Turkey. Many native Turks take large pots of lokma to special occasions; some bring the ingredients with them and bake a batch on the premises.
Ingredients
For the Dough
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1 teaspoon active dry yeast
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1 teaspoon sugar
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1 1/4 cups water, warm
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2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon fine salt
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Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Syrup
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3 cups sugar
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1 1/3 cups water
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2 tablespoons lemon juice
Steps to Make It
Make the Dough
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Gather the ingredients.
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In a measuring cup, add yeast and sugar to warm water. Stir until dissolved. Allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
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In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt.
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Add yeast water and stir with an oiled wooden spoon until a dough-like consistency form.
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Cover and place in a warm area and allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled.
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Preheat vegetable oil to 375 F.
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Spoon dough by the tablespoon into vegetable oil and allow to cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until each side is a golden brown color. Repeat with remaining dough.
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Drain on paper towels.
Make the Syrup
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Gather the ingredients.
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About 20 minutes prior to frying the dough, mix all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
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Bring to a boil, then allow to simmer on low for about 10 to 15 minutes, until it becomes a syrup consistency. Do not stir frequently because the sugar will make the syrup cloudy.
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Drizzle syrup over fried dough and serve immediately.
Summer Treat
Lokma is especially popular in the summer. In fact, many people will take this easily transported snack to the beach.
History Behind Lokma
The Turkish word lokma means "mouthful" or "morsel," which describes these tiny bites of heaven. Lokma originated with the sultan's cooks at Ottoman Empire palaces.
For many centuries, the recipe for Lokma was kept secret but became a traditional Turkish dessert in the 20th century.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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3931 | Calories |
75g | Fat |
804g | Carbs |
28g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Amount per serving | |
Calories | 3931 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 75g | 96% |
Saturated Fat 6g | 29% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 2160mg | 94% |
Total Carbohydrate 804g | 292% |
Dietary Fiber 8g | 29% |
Total Sugars 604g | |
Protein 28g | |
Vitamin C 4mg | 22% |
Calcium 69mg | 5% |
Iron 12mg | 69% |
Potassium 360mg | 8% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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