Tanghulu
Tanghulu is a delightful Chinese treat made by coating fresh fruit in a hard candy syrup, creating a sweet and visually stunning snack for any occasion.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1 lb strawberries, grapes, or other fruit of choice (~30 pieces) Use fresh, firm fruits for the best results.
Syrup
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash the fruit thoroughly and then pat them dry. Remove any leaves, stems, or inedible parts.
- Place the prepared fruit onto skewers, using about 3 pieces per skewer for easier handling.
Cooking
- In a small pot over low to medium heat, add the sugar and water. It’s crucial not to stir at this stage.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, and let it simmer until it thickens to a syrup-like consistency and turns amber in color, which should take about 10-20 minutes.
- To check if the syrup is ready, drizzle a spoonful into an ice water bath. If it hardens quickly and cracks when bent, it’s perfect for dipping.
- Quickly dip each fruit skewer into the syrup, swirling to coat them evenly with a thin layer of sugar.
- Immediately dip the skewer into the ice water bath to cool and set the sugar coating.
- Place the finished skewer on a plate. Repeat the process with the remaining fruit skewers.
- Work fast to prevent the sugar from burning.
Notes
Serve your tanghulu snacks as a fun dessert option at parties or as a sweet treat for your family. They are best enjoyed fresh but can also be served on a beautiful plate to impress your guests. To store any leftover tanghulu, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating them, as this can cause the sugar coating to become sticky and lose its crunch.