The Sweet Magic of Homemade Tanghulu Recipe

Sweet tanghulu changes ordinary fruit into a mesmerizing street market delicacy that captures childhood wonder and culinary artistry.

Chinese candied skewers represent more than just a sugary treat—they embody cultural tradition and sensory delight.

Each glossy, crystalline coating creates a stunning visual spectacle that draws curious eyes and tempts eager taste buds.

Crafting these delicate confections requires precise temperature control and a gentle touch to achieve that signature glass-like shell.

Winter markets come alive with vendors skillfully spinning molten sugar into glistening, translucent layers around plump, fresh fruits.

Professional and amateur cooks alike find joy in mastering this elegant technique that turns simple ingredients into edible art.

The magic happens when sugar changes from granulated crystals to a shimmering, transparent glaze that encases fruit in sweet perfection.

Crisp Candied Tanghulu Skewers with Seasonal Fruits

• Capture Sweet Street Vibes: Tanghulu brings the authentic Chinese street food experience right to your kitchen, letting you enjoy a classic treat with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
• Create Stunning Candy Sculptures: The glossy, crystal-like sugar coating transforms ordinary fruits into eye-catching edible art pieces that shine and crack beautifully when you bite into them.
• Quick and Simple Dessert Magic: This recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for spontaneous sweet cravings or impressing guests with a professional-looking dessert that requires surprisingly little skill.
• Healthier Indulgence Option: By using fresh fruits like strawberries, grapes, or mandarin oranges, you're creating a treat that's not only delightful but also offers natural vitamins and a lighter alternative to traditional heavy desserts.

Ingredients for Traditional Tanghulu

• White Sugar: Pure sweetness that crystallizes into a glossy hard candy coating.
• Water: Essential liquid for dissolving sugar and creating smooth syrup consistency.

• Strawberries, Blueberries, Grapes: Fresh, ripe fruits perfect for creating traditional tanghulu with sweet and juicy center, best when firm and without blemishes.

Sugar-Coating Technique for Perfect Tanghulu

Step 1: Prepare Fruit Skewers

Wash fruits thoroughly under cool running water. Gently pat dry with clean paper towels. Remove stems or leaves if needed. Thread fruits onto wooden skewers, leaving enough space at the bottom for holding. Pack fruits closely together but not overlapping.

Step 2: Create Sparkling Sugar Syrup

Combine white granulated sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat without stirring. Allow mixture to bubble and transform. Monitor temperature carefully using a candy thermometer until it reaches precisely 300°F (hard crack stage).

Step 3: Dip and Coat Fruits

Hold skewer carefully and quickly dip fruits into molten sugar syrup. Rotate and swirl to ensure complete, even coating. Allow excess syrup to drip off briefly. Work swiftly to prevent sugar from cooling and hardening.

Step 4: Let Tanghulu Crystallize

Place coated skewers on prepared parchment paper or silicone mat. Allow sugar coating to harden and become glossy. Let rest for 3-5 minutes until sugar shell becomes crisp and transparent.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 8-12 skewers

Calories: Approximately 80-100 per skewer

Tips to Prevent Sticky, Soggy Tanghulu

• Choose Firm Fruits: Select fresh, slightly firm strawberries, grapes, or mandarin oranges that hold their shape perfectly during coating.
• Control Sugar Temperature: Use a candy thermometer to precisely monitor the sugar syrup, stopping exactly at 300ºF to prevent burning or undercooking.
• Work Quickly: Dip skewered fruits immediately after reaching the right temperature, as the sugar hardens rapidly and can become grainy if left too long.
• Prevent Sticking: Lightly grease parchment paper or use a silicone mat to ensure tanghulu doesn't stick when cooling and hardening.
• Store Properly: Keep tanghulu in a cool, dry place and consume within 24 hours for maximum crispness and best candy shell texture.

Storage Guide for Crunchy Tanghulu Treats

• Refrigerator Storage: Keep tanghulu in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating each skewer to prevent sticking. Consume within 24 hours for best texture and flavor.
• Room Temperature: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or humidity. Consume within 4-6 hours to maintain the crisp sugar coating.
• Reheating Warning: Avoid microwaving or heating tanghulu, as this will melt the sugar coating and destroy the delicate candy shell. Enjoy at room temperature for optimal crunchiness.

Serving Suggestions for Tanghulu

• Pair with Creamy Dessert Wines: Complement the sweet, crisp tanghulu with a rich ice wine or moscato, which enhances the fruity crunch and balances the hardened sugar coating.
• Match with Light Tea Varieties: Brew a delicate jasmine or green tea to cut through the sweetness and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the candied fruit.
• Combine with Soft Cheese Plate: Serve alongside mild goat cheese or brie to create a delightful contrast between the tanghulu's hard sugar shell and the creamy cheese texture.
• Enjoy with Sparkling Beverages: Sip on a chilled prosecco or sparkling water with a hint of citrus to cleanse the palate between bites of the sugary treat.

Innovative Twists on Tanghulu

• Chocolate-Drenched Tanghulu: After coating with sugar syrup, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the fruits for a rich, decadent finish.
• Tropical Fusion Tanghulu: Replace traditional fruits with a mix of mango, pineapple, and passion fruit for a vibrant, exotic flavor profile.
• Spiced Caramel Tanghulu: Incorporate ground cinnamon or cardamom into the sugar syrup, creating a warm, aromatic coating that complements the sweet fruits.
• Nutty Crunch Tanghulu: Immediately after coating, roll the sugar-glazed fruits in finely chopped almonds or pistachios for added texture and nutty flavor.

Tanghulu Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chinese street candy tanghulu sparkles with crystalline sugar coating over perfectly caramelized fruits. Winter markets come alive with these glossy candied treats that blend sweet crunch and fresh fruit essence, inviting you to savor a delightful Chinese culinary tradition.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound strawberries and/or blueberries, grapes, or other fruit of choice

Sugar Syrup Ingredients:

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup water

Skewering Tools:

• Wooden skewers

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Instructions

1. Meticulously cleanse selected fruits under cool running water, gently patting them completely dry with soft paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Carefully thread fruits onto wooden skewers, ensuring each piece is securely positioned and evenly spaced for uniform caramelization.
3. Position a heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium-high heat, pouring sugar and water into the vessel with precision.
4. Allow the sugar mixture to transform, watching intently as it bubbles and slowly transitions to a rich golden amber color without stirring.
5. Monitor the temperature carefully using a candy thermometer, waiting until the syrup reaches the critical hard-crack stage of 300ºF/150ºC.
6. Remove the molten sugar syrup from heat immediately to prevent burning, holding the pan at a slight angle for optimal dipping control.
7. Swiftly and smoothly dip each fruit-laden skewer into the hot sugar syrup, rotating to ensure complete and even coverage.
8. Quickly transfer the glazed skewers to a prepared parchment-lined surface, allowing the crystalline sugar coating to rapidly cool and harden.
9. Let the tanghulu rest for a few moments, permitting the glossy sugar shell to completely solidify and create a delicate, glass-like exterior.
10. Once fully set, gently separate the skewers and serve immediately to preserve the crisp, translucent sugar coating.

Notes

• Quickly coat each fruit skewer in the molten sugar syrup, twirling to create an even, glossy layer.
• Strategically choose firm fruits like strawberries, mandarin oranges, or grapes that maintain their shape during coating.
• Master temperature control by using a candy thermometer to achieve the perfect hard-crack stage for a crystal-clear, glass-like sugar shell.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 50g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg