Homemade Sweet Square

These chewy little sweet squares are a homemade candy somewhere between Turkish delight and fudge, soft, jiggly, and dotted with bits of candied fruit and chocolate.

The texture comes from cornstarch. A sugar syrup is brightened with lemon, then thickened with a cooked cornstarch slurry until it turns glossy and very thick. That’s what gives the squares their signature soft, chewy, slightly bouncy bite once they set.

Flavor comes from a playful trio: warm cinnamon, fruity pineapple essence, and chopped mixed-fruit candy folded right in. A scatter of chocolate candies pressed on top adds color and a little crunch.

Patience is the only hard part. Pour the thick mixture onto a greased plate and let it set for a couple of hours until firm enough to cut into neat one-inch squares. It’s an easy, no-bake treat that kids love to help make.

Kitchen Tips

• Cook the cornstarch mixture until very thick and glossy; under-thickened, the squares won’t set firm.
• Stir constantly as you combine the syrup and cornstarch to keep it smooth and lump-free.
• Grease the plate well so the set candy releases cleanly.
• Let it set the full two hours, or chill it, before cutting for clean squares.

Variations

• Swap the pineapple essence for rosewater, orange, or vanilla.
• Use different candied fruits or chopped nuts in place of the mixed fruit.
• Dust the cut squares in powdered sugar, Turkish-delight style.