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