Description
Tanghulu is a popular Chinese street snack, featuring fresh fruit coated in a crisp, glossy sugar syrup. This easy-to-make treat combines the sweet and sour flavors of fruit with a crunchy sugar coating, offering a delightful and visually appealing snack. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or as a fun homemade gift.
Ingredients
Scale
- Fresh fruits (hawthorn berries, strawberries, grapes, kiwi, or other fruits of your choice)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- Sticks or skewers (wooden or bamboo)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit: Wash and dry the fruits thoroughly. If using larger fruits, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Thread the fruit onto wooden sticks or skewers, leaving space at the bottom for easy handling.
- Make the Sugar Syrup: In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice (if using). Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Let it simmer until the syrup reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer. This should take around 10-12 minutes.
- Coat the Fruit: Once the syrup reaches the correct temperature, remove it from the heat. Quickly dip each skewer of fruit into the syrup, turning to coat evenly. Let any excess syrup drip off.
- Let the Candy Harden: Place the coated fruit skewers onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or heat-resistant surface. Allow the sugar syrup to cool and harden.
- Serve: Once the Tanghulu has cooled and hardened, the candy is ready to be served. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- If you don’t have a candy thermometer, test the syrup by dropping a small amount into cold water. If it hardens immediately and cracks, it’s at the right temperature.
- Make sure the fruit is at room temperature before dipping into the syrup to prevent premature hardening.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Candy-coated, No-bake
- Cuisine: Chinese