Tanghulu
Tanghulu is a delightful Chinese street snack that turns fresh fruit into shiny, crunchy candy, perfect for parties and fun family activities.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb strawberries, grapes, or other fruit of choice (~30 pieces)
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash the fruit thoroughly and pat it dry. Remove any leaves, stems, or inedible parts.
- Skewer the fruit, using 3 pieces or less per skewer for easier handling.
Cooking
- In a small pot, combine sugar and water over low to medium heat without stirring. Allow it to boil and simmer until the mixture thickens and turns amber in color, about 10–20 minutes, reaching approximately 300°F.
- Check the syrup's temperature by drizzling a spoonful into an ice water bath; if it hardens quickly and cracks when bent, it’s ready.
Coating
- Quickly dip each fruit skewer into the syrup, swirl to coat evenly, and immediately dip into the ice water bath to cool and harden the coating.
- Place the skewers onto a plate and repeat the process with remaining fruit, working quickly to prevent burning the sugar.
Serving
- Serve Tanghulu fresh for the best crunchy texture. Display them on a colorful plate or as part of a dessert table.
Notes
Use firm fruits to prevent breakage during skewering. Work quickly when coating the fruit, and feel free to experiment with different fruits like kiwi, cherry tomatoes, or apples.