Tanghulu (Chinese Candied Strawberry Skewers) Recipe
Learn how to make Tanghulu, a classic Chinese street food featuring strawberries coated in a crunchy, glossy sugar candy shell. This simple recipe uses a hard-crack sugar syrup to perfectly candy fresh strawberries on skewers, creating a beautiful and delicious treat that can be enjoyed immediately. This traditional dessert also works wonderfully with other firm fruits such as grapes and cherries.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 strawberries
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Fruit
- 16 fresh firm strawberries
Syrup
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Remove the stems from the strawberries, then wash them thoroughly. Allow the strawberries to dry completely, making sure no moisture remains as this will affect the candy coating. Thread each strawberry onto a wooden skewer, positioning the berries towards the tip of the skewer for easier dipping.
- Make Sugar Syrup: In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat without stirring. Continue boiling and cooking the syrup until a candy thermometer reads between 300° and 310°F (the hard-crack stage), indicating the syrup is ready for candying. Remove the pan from heat promptly to avoid burning.
- Dip Strawberries in Syrup: Working quickly to prevent the sugar from hardening, dip each skewered strawberry into the hot syrup, ensuring it is fully coated with the candy mixture. Lift the skewer out carefully and let any excess syrup drip off.
- Cool and Harden: Place the coated strawberries on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. Allow the sugar coating to harden and set for 2 to 3 minutes, forming a crisp, transparent shell over the fruit.
- Serve Immediately: Once the candy coating is hardened, serve the Tanghulu skewers immediately to enjoy the perfect combination of sweet, crunchy exterior and fresh fruit interior.
Notes
- Ensure strawberries are completely dry before dipping; moisture will prevent the syrup from adhering and hardening properly.
- Use a candy thermometer for precise temperature control and to achieve the perfect hard-crack sugar stage.
- You can substitute strawberries with other firm fruits such as grapes, cherries, or hawthorn berries for traditional variations.
- Work quickly when dipping as the syrup hardens fast once off the heat.
- Serving immediately is best as the candy shell can become sticky over time due to humidity.
