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Delicious Tanghulu made with freshly candied fruit on skewers.

Tanghulu

Tanghulu is a sweet treat made by coating fresh fruit in a glossy layer of sugar syrup, creating a fun and delicious snack that's perfect for sharing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 5 skewers
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fruits
  • 1 lb strawberries, grapes, or other fruit of choice (~30 pieces) Choose fresh, ripe fruit for best results.
For the syrup
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 cup water

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash your fruit and pat it dry. Remove any leaves, stems, or inedible parts.
  2. Place pieces of fruit onto skewers, using 3 pieces or fewer per skewer for easier handling.
Making the syrup
  1. In a small pot on low to medium heat, combine sugar and water without stirring. Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer until the mixture thickens and turns amber, about 10-20 minutes.
  2. Check the syrup’s readiness by drizzling a spoonful into an ice water bath. If it hardens quickly and cracks when bent, it’s ready.
Coating the fruit
  1. Quickly dip the fruit skewers into the syrup, swirling to coat with a thin layer.
  2. Then, dip the skewer into the ice water bath to cool and harden the sugar coating.
  3. Place the skewer on a plate and repeat with the remaining fruit, working quickly to ensure the sugar does not burn.

Notes

Make sure the fruit is dry before dipping; excess water can prevent the coating from sticking. Store Tanghulu in an airtight container at room temperature and consume within a day or two for best results. You can also experiment with different fruits or add food coloring to the syrup for a fun twist.