Tanghulu Recipe: How to Make This Crunchy Candied Fruit Snack
Tanghulu, a traditional Chinese street snack, has taken the internet by storm! This delightful treat features skewered fruits coated in a hardened sugar shell, creating the perfect combination of sweet, sour, and crunchy textures. Originally made with hawthorn berries, modern variations include strawberries, grapes, oranges, and more. Here’s how you can make authentic Tanghulu at home!
What is Tanghulu?
Tanghulu is a Northern Chinese delicacy made by dipping fresh fruits into a hot sugar syrup, which hardens to form a shiny, crisp candy coating. Unlike caramelized fruit, Tanghulu has a glass-like crunch that shatters when you bite into it.
Ingredients for Tanghulu
To make this delicious treat, you’ll need:
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup water
½ cup light corn syrup (optional, for extra shine)
Fresh fruits of your choice (strawberries, grapes, hawthorn berries, oranges, etc.)
Bamboo skewers
Ice water (for testing sugar syrup)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Fruits
Wash and thoroughly dry your fruits to ensure the sugar syrup sticks.
Remove stems from strawberries or grapes if needed.
Skewer the fruits onto bamboo sticks (2–3 per skewer works best).
2. Make the Sugar Syrup
In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup.
Heat over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Stop stirring and allow the mixture to boil until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer.
To test, drop a small amount into ice water—if it hardens instantly, it's ready.
3. Coat the Fruits
Dip each skewered fruit into the hot syrup, ensuring an even coating.
Let excess syrup drip off before placing the skewer on parchment paper to cool.
Repeat quickly before the syrup hardens in the pan.
4. Let It Set & Enjoy!
Allow the Tanghulu to cool at room temperature for 5–10 minutes.
Once fully hardened, enjoy the crispy, sweet treat!
Tanghulu Tips & Variations
Use Dry Fruits: Any moisture can prevent the sugar from sticking properly.
Choose Firm Fruits: Strawberries, grapes, kiwis, and small oranges work well.
Flavor the Syrup: Add vanilla or citrus zest for extra flavor.
Storage: Best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to a day.
Conclusion
Tanghulu is an easy yet impressive snack that combines fruit’s natural tanginess with a satisfying crunch. Whether you make it with classic hawthorn berries or modern fruit variations, this treat is sure to be a hit. Try making Tanghulu at home and enjoy a taste of this viral sensation!
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