
Tanghulu is a sweet and crunchy Chinese candied fruit treat that’s often sold as a popular street food in China. Made with just 3 simple ingredients, this recipe will give you a crispy sugar coating on your favorite fruits. Tanghulu is the perfect sweet treat for kids and adults alike, and it’s incredibly fun to make at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Only 3 Ingredients – Easy to make with minimal effort!
✔ Customizable – Use any fruit you like.
✔ Crispy & Sweet – Perfectly crunchy sugar coating.
✔ No Special Tools – You don’t need a candy thermometer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- Fresh fruit (such as strawberries, grapes, or kumquats, washed and dried)
How to Make Tanghulu
Step 1: Prepare the Fruit
- Wash and dry your fruit thoroughly. It’s important that the fruit is completely dry to ensure the sugar syrup sticks properly. You can use any fruit that’s small and firm. Common choices are strawberries, grapes, or kiwi slices.
Step 2: Make the Sugar Syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 5-8 minutes. The syrup will thicken slightly.
- Remove from heat when the syrup reaches a thick, golden consistency (similar to honey). If you have a candy thermometer, it should be around 300°F (150°C), which is the hard crack stage.
Step 3: Coat the Fruit
- Place your prepared fruit onto skewers or sticks (optional, but it makes dipping easier).
- Carefully dip the fruit into the hot sugar syrup, swirling to coat it evenly.
- Hold the coated fruit for a few seconds to let the syrup harden, then place it on parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to cool and set.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
- Once the syrup has cooled and hardened into a crisp shell, your tanghulu is ready to serve! Enjoy this treat as a fun snack, dessert, or party treat.
Tips for the Best Tanghulu
🍓 Choose the Right Fruit – Smaller, firm fruits work best for tanghulu. Strawberries, grapes, or even small apple slices are great options.
🌡️ Handle Hot Syrup Carefully – The syrup will be extremely hot, so use caution while dipping the fruit.
🌞 Serve Immediately – Tanghulu is best enjoyed fresh as the crispy coating may soften over time.
Storage
📦 Store: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. The coating will start to lose its crispness after a while, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
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