Description
A Tanghulu-inspired candied fruit skewers recipe is a modern, home-kitchen adaptation of the beloved northern Chinese street food tradition. At its core, the dish consists of fresh, bite-sized pieces of fruit that are threaded onto long wooden sticks and dipped into a molten sugar syrup that hardens into a glass-like glaze. The contrast between the rock-hard, sweet exterior and the juicy, tangy fruit interior creates an extraordinary textural experience that keeps people coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, grapes, blueberries, or other firm fruit
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp light corn syrup (optional, helps prevent crystallization)
- Wooden skewers
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit:
Wash the fruit and dry it very thoroughly. Any moisture can prevent the sugar coating from sticking properly. - Make the sugar syrup:
Add sugar, water, and corn syrup to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat without stirring once the sugar has dissolved. - Cook the syrup:
Continue cooking until the syrup reaches about 150°C / 302°F (hard-crack stage). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a little syrup into cold water—it should immediately form a hard, brittle thread. - Skewer the fruit:
Thread 3–5 pieces of fruit onto each wooden skewer, keeping the pieces fairly close together. - Coat the fruit:
Carefully dip each skewer into the hot syrup, turning quickly to coat the fruit with a thin layer. Let excess syrup drip back into the pan. - Let it set:
Place the skewers on parchment paper or a lightly greased surface. Allow the coating to cool for 5–10 minutes until completely hard and crunchy. - Serve immediately:
Enjoy the candied fruit while the sugar shell is crisp.
Notes
For the best results, make sure the fruit is completely dry before dipping. Enjoy the skewers immediately for a crisp, glass-like candy shell, and try mixing different fruits for a colorful and delicious treat!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: ~180 kcal