Description
Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese snack featuring fresh fruit skewered and coated with a shiny, hard candy shell made from boiled sugar syrup. This recipe provides a simple method to create the classic crunchy, sweet coating that perfectly complements the natural tartness and juiciness of fruits like strawberries, grapes, and mandarins.
Ingredients
Scale
Syrup Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon light corn syrup (optional, helps prevent crystallization)
Fruit
- Fresh fruit of your choice (strawberries, grapes, mandarins, etc.)
- Ice water (for testing sugar syrup)
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit: Wash and completely dry the fruit to ensure the syrup adheres properly. Thread 2 to 4 pieces of your chosen fruit onto each skewer securely.
- Combine sugar and water: In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water over medium heat. Stir gently and continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved. Add the light corn syrup if using to help prevent crystallization.
- Boil the syrup: Allow the mixture to boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (150°C), known as the hard crack stage, which typically takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Test the syrup: Drop a small amount of syrup into a bowl of ice water. If it hardens immediately and cracks when bent, the syrup is ready for dipping.
- Coat the fruit: Reduce the heat to low. Quickly dip each fruit skewer into the hot syrup, allowing the excess syrup to drip off to avoid clumps.
- Set the candy shell: Place the coated skewers on parchment paper or a rack and allow them to harden for approximately 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the fruit is completely dry to help the syrup adhere evenly.
- Use a candy thermometer to accurately monitor the syrup temperature for perfect hardness.
- Work quickly once the syrup reaches the hard crack stage as it cools and hardens rapidly.
- Light corn syrup is optional but helps prevent sugar crystals from forming in the syrup.
- Use parchment paper or a non-stick surface to prevent the candy from sticking while it cools.
