Ayva Tatlısı - Turkish Quince Dessert

5 from 2 votes

Ayva Tatlisi, also known as Turkish Quince Dessert, is a delicious sweet treat that has been enjoyed in Turkey for centuries.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1

Total Time1 10

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Turkish

Diet: Gluten Free, Halal, Low Salt, Vegetarian

Servings: pieces

Calories: 204kcal

To prepare the quinces, cut them in half and remove the seeds and cores. Peeling the quinces is optional and I usually leave them on.
Place the quince halves in a pan along with the sugar, water, quince seeds, cinnamon sticks and/or cloves.
Bring the pan to a boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and let the quince halves simmer gently with a lid on for about an hour, or until the quinces are tender and pink.
After cooking the quinces, take them out of the syrup and transfer them to a serving dish. Discard the cinnamon stick and cloves and let the quinces cool down completely before serving.
After the quince halves have cooled down, transfer them to a serving dish and pour some of the syrup over them.
Chill the dish in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight until the quince halves are set.
Serve the ayva tatlisi chilled, garnished with crushed pistachios or /and Turkish clotted cream "Kaymak".

When making Ayva Tatlisi, it's best to use a ripe and fragrant quince that's in season. Since the recipe only requires a few ingredients, it's crucial to ensure that the main ingredient is of high quality.
Use a sharp knife to peel and core the quince. Quince fruit is quite firm, so a dull knife will make the process more difficult and dangerous.
While poaching the quince, include the seeds and peels in the pan as they contribute a notable reddish hue to Ayva Tatlisi.
Be patient when simmering the quince halves in the sugar syrup. The fruit needs to cook slowly and absorb the flavor of the syrup for the dessert to be successful.
Serve the dessert chilled for the best flavor and texture.