Quince Dessert

Looking for a healthy yet elegant dessert to impress your guests or indulge yourself? Try this traditional Turkish Quince Dessert — a fragrant, lightly spiced dish made by slowly simmering quinces in pomegranate juice, lemon, and warm spices. Topped with thick Turkish clotted cream and crushed pistachios, this recipe brings together color, texture, and flavor in every bite. Perfect for fall and winter gatherings, this dessert is both comforting and visually stunning.

Ingredients

For the Quince Dessert:

• 2 large quinces (peeled and cored)

• 8 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• ¾ tea glass pomegranate juice

• 1 stick cinnamon

• 5 cloves

• Juice of ½ lemon

For Serving:

• 100g Turkish clotted cream (kaymak)

• 1 tablespoon ground pistachios

Instructions

• Line the bottom of a wide pot with the quince peels (optional, for extra color and aroma).

• Place the peeled and cored quinces into the pot.

• Sprinkle sugar evenly over each quince half.

• Add the water, lemon juice, pomegranate juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, and reserved quince seeds into the pot.

• Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Then reduce to low and simmer gently for 30–35 minutes until the quinces are tender and have absorbed the color and syrup.

• Test doneness by inserting a knife into the quinces — they should be soft but not mushy.

• Once cooked, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

• Serve warm or cold, topped with a spoonful of kaymak and a sprinkle of ground pistachios. Enjoy!

This Turkish quince dessert is a perfect blend of sweet, tart, and spice — ideal for cold days when you crave something warm and nostalgic. Whether served at dinner parties or enjoyed with a cup of Turkish tea, it’s a taste of tradition you won’t forget.