Description
Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese sweet treat made from fruits like hawthorn berries or strawberries coated in a hard, glossy sugar syrup. This irresistible candy is both crunchy and sweet, making it a perfect snack for a sunny day or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
- 10–12 fresh strawberries (or hawthorn berries, or your preferred fruit)
- Wooden skewers (or toothpicks for smaller fruit)
Instructions
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Prepare the Fruit:
- Rinse and dry the fruit thoroughly, removing any stems. Insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into each piece of fruit.
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Make the Sugar Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is fully dissolved. Once dissolved, allow the mixture to come to a boil.
- Let the syrup boil for about 3-5 minutes until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer. You can add a little lemon juice to prevent crystallization (optional).
-
Coat the Fruit:
- Once the syrup reaches the right temperature, carefully dip each piece of fruit into the syrup, ensuring that the fruit is completely coated. Hold the fruit over the pot briefly to let the excess syrup drip off.
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Cool the Candied Fruit:
- Place the coated fruit on a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to cool and harden for 10-15 minutes.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the candy coating has set and hardened, the Tanghulu is ready to enjoy. Serve immediately and enjoy the sweet, crunchy treat!
Notes
- Fruit Options: While hawthorn berries are traditional, you can use other fruits like strawberries, grapes, or even apples for variety.
- Syrup Tip: Be careful when handling the hot sugar syrup, as it can burn. Make sure to use a candy thermometer to get the syrup to the correct temperature.
- Storage: Tanghulu is best enjoyed fresh. If you need to store it, keep it in a cool, dry place, but the candy coating may lose its crispness after a day or two.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Candying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Tanghulu, Chinese candied fruit, candy fruit, hawthorn berry candy, homemade Tanghulu, traditional Chinese sweets, fruit snack