Miodek Turecki - Polish Halloween Candy Recipe - Polish Foodies (2024)

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A traditional Polish candy made on Halloween, the crunchy miodek turecki or trupi miodek is eaten on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day across Poland.
We don’t celebrate Halloween in Poland. But we do make a tasty irregular-shaped candy of caramel filled with walnuts or other nuts on Halloween aka Mischief Night.
You’ll find many stalls right outside the cemetery selling this popular candy which is eaten on All Saints’ Day (1st of November) and All Souls’ Day (2nd of November).
All Saints’ Day is a national holiday in Poland when every Catholic pays homage to the saints, and no one works on this day. All stores and shops are closed, and you’ll only find everyone visiting cemeteries to pay respects to their loved ones.
All Souls’ Day which follows is a day when every family pays respects to their lost loved ones. On this day the graveyards glow with candles and lights.

What Is Miodek Turecki?

Originally sold in Krakow, miodek turecki or trupi miodek is a Polish Halloween candy that’s often referred to as Krakowski miodek turecki.
Back in the 1920s and 30s, this candy was sold by weight outside the Rakowicki Cemetery. The vendors would bring large slabs of miodek turecki and crush it in front of customers. It was then put into small cones and sold by weight.
Once made only of sweet cream, it’s now also made of caramel.
Miodek turecki literally means “little Turkish honey”.
The other name, “trupi miodek” translates to “corpse honey”. That establishes the connection with Halloween or All Hallows Night. And since there are not many typical foods for the Halloween period in Poland, that makes this candy is pretty unique.

How To Make Polish Candy Miodek Turecki At Home?

Making miodek turecki is really easy! Simply caramelize the sugar with water in a large pan while stirring to ensure it doesn’t burn.

Once the caramel has formed, baking soda is added to it and it’s allowed to cook a little longer.Lastly, crushed walnuts and honey are added to the mixture and it’s stirred.

A baking tray is lined with parchment paper and the mixture poured into it.Once the candy hardens, use a sharp knife to cut it into pieces and serve!

Tips For Making The Tastiest Miodek Turecki Candy!

• If you don’t like walnuts, you can use any other nuts or flavors of your choice.
• You can skip the honey if you want to.
• Add a pinch of salt for a salted caramel taste!
• If only making for adults, you can also add rum or vodka to the candy while adding the nuts.

FAQs About Making Polish Halloween Candy

Do I Have To Add Walnuts To This Halloween Candy?

No, you can use any other nuts of your choice. Almonds, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, anything will work. You can buy whole nuts and crush them, or buy crushed nuts.
You can also skip the nuts and add different flavors and essences or aromatic oils to the candy. Some popular choices are:

• If you add cocoa powder to the candy, it’s called miodekkakaowy.
• Use vanilla sugar instead of sugar, if you want a vanilla flavor called miodek waniliowy. Alternatively, you can add some vanilla extract.
• Add coffee powder if you want a flavor called miodek kawowy.
• Use any other flavor you like.

Why Do We Add Baking Soda To The Trupi Miodek?

Baking soda reacts with the sugar to produce carbon dioxide bubbles which get trapped in the candy. This results in a lightness and crunchy flavor.

Why Is It Called Turkish Honey?

It’s possible that the candy was probably associated with other Turkish sweets such as halva that were sold on the streets of Krakow before World War II and hence got the name Turkish honey.

Which Baking Tray Should I Use?

I prefer to use a rectangular tray, but since you’re cutting an irregular shape, you can use a round baking pan one too.

What Other Sweets Are Popular On This Day?

Other sweets that are popular for Halloween and All Saints’ Day in Poland are the pańska skórka in Warsaw and the szczypka in Lublin.

Are There Any Other Polish Halloween Recipes?

Yes, you may also try my Halloween pumpkin pierogi recipe.

Miodek Turecki – Polish Halloween Candy

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