Crisp and Sweet Tanghulu Recipe: Homemade Candied Fruit Joy

Sweet, fruity, and irresistibly glossy, this tanghulu recipe captures the essence of a beloved Chinese street treat that turns ordinary fruit into a sparkling winter wonder.

Candied strawberries, crisp mandarin oranges, and plump grapes get coated in a crystal-clear sugar shell that crackles with each delightful bite.

The magic happens when fresh fruit meets molten sugar, creating a stunning dessert that’s both visually impressive and deliciously simple.

Street vendors in China have perfected this technique for generations, turning basic ingredients into a spectacular snack.

Cold days call for something sweet and nostalgic, and these sugared fruits deliver pure joy on a stick.

You’ll love how quickly these treats come together, transforming ordinary fruit into a glistening, crunchy delicacy that feels like edible art.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Tanghulu Ingredients You’ll Need

• White Sugar, Water: Creates a crystal-clear, glossy coating that transforms ordinary fruit into a stunning sweet treat with a glass-like shine, ensuring perfect caramelization and a smooth candied exterior.

• Strawberries, Blueberries, Grapes: Choose plump, firm, and vibrant fruits at peak ripeness to guarantee a juicy burst of flavor inside the crisp sugar shell, with no soft spots or bruising that could compromise the tanghulu's delicate structure.

• Skewers: Select sturdy wooden skewers that can securely hold fruit without breaking, preferably with a sharp point for easy fruit piercing and clean presentation, ensuring stability during the candying process.

Tools for Making Tanghulu at Home

• Wooden skewers: Long, thin sticks for threading fruit.
• Saucepan: Medium-sized pot for boiling sugar syrup.
• Candy thermometer: Precise tool to monitor sugar temperature.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking sheet: Non-stick surface for cooling coated fruit.
• Sharp knife: For removing fruit stems if needed.
• Tongs or heat-resistant gloves: Helps safely handle hot sugar syrup.
• Clean kitchen towel: For patting fruit dry.

Directions for Tanghulu Perfection

• Fruit Selection

Choose fresh, ripe fruits like strawberries, mandarin oranges, or grapes that are firm and free from bruises.

• Skewer Preparation

Insert wooden skewers gently through the center of each fruit, creating a balanced arrangement that looks visually appealing.

• Sugar Transformation

Create a magical amber-like sugar coating by heating sugar in a saucepan until it reaches a deep golden color and develops a glossy, glass-like consistency.

• Magical Dipping

Carefully swirl each fruit-laden skewer through the heated sugar, ensuring a smooth, even coating that catches the light like delicate crystal.

• Cooling Zone

Place the sugar-coated fruits on a non-stick surface, allowing them to cool and harden into a crisp, translucent shell that cracks beautifully when bitten.

• Serving Style

Arrange the finished tanghulu on a decorative plate, creating a stunning display of glossy, jewel-like treats that look almost too beautiful to eat.

Tanghulu Cooking Tips & Variations

• Candy Craft Tricks: Elevate your tanghulu with these pro tips and delicious twists.
• Fruit Selection Magic: Choose firm, slightly underripe fruits like strawberries, grapes, or mandarin oranges. Firmer fruits prevent immediate juice release and maintain crisp sugar coating better.
• Temperature Precision: Use a candy thermometer for perfect sugar syrup. Hitting exactly 300ºF ensures that gorgeous glass-like candy shell without burning or undercooking.
• Storage Secrets: Keep tanghulu in a cool, dry place for 4-6 hours. Avoid refrigeration, which causes sugar to become sticky and lose its signature glossy crunch.
• Flavor Adventure Playground: Experiment with fruit combinations like blackberry-raspberry clusters or tropical pineapple-kiwi skewers. Sprinkle edible glitter or crushed nuts for extra texture and visual appeal after sugar coating.

Ideas for Serving Tanghulu

• Sweet Party Platter: Arrange tanghulu on a beautiful wooden board with different sized skewers, creating a colorful and tempting display perfect for gatherings or dessert tables.
• Festive Dessert Centerpiece: Stack tanghulu vertically in a tall glass or vase, making an eye-catching centerpiece that guests can easily grab and enjoy during celebrations.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve alongside hot tea or coffee, offering a delightful sweet contrast and providing a crunchy, glossy treat that complements warm beverages beautifully.
• Gifts with Wow Factor: Package individual tanghulu in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons, creating charming homemade gifts that look professionally crafted and taste amazing.

Tanghulu Storage Guidelines

• Tanghulu Storage & Meal Planning Guide
• Quick Enjoyment Window: Best consumed within 24 hours after preparation to maintain crispy sugar coating and fruit freshness.
• Temperature Tactics: Store uncovered at room temperature in a cool, dry area away from humidity to prevent sugar from becoming sticky.
• Smart Spacing Strategy: Place tanghulu skewers individually on parchment paper, ensuring they don't touch each other to prevent potential sugar melding.
• Refrigeration Reality Check: Avoid storing in refrigerator, as moisture will cause sugar shell to dissolve and lose its signature crackly texture.

Irresistible Tanghulu Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet candied hawthorn Tanghulu brings traditional Chinese street snack magic to home kitchens. Glazed fruit skewers offer delightful crunch and sugary coating you can easily craft with simple ingredients and careful technique.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (453 g) strawberries, blueberries, grapes, or other fruit of choice
• 2 cups (400 g) white sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• Wooden skewers

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly rinse fruits under running water, delicately dry with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture.
2. Skewering: Carefully mount fruits onto wooden skewers, positioning each piece securely and evenly for consistent caramelization.
3. Sugar Syrup Creation: Position heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium-high heat, combining sugar and water with precision, allowing mixture to bubble and transform into a rich golden amber color without stirring.
4. Temperature Monitoring: Use candy thermometer to track syrup, waiting until it reaches the hard-crack stage at 300ºF/150ºC, then immediately remove from heat to prevent burning.
5. Dipping Process: Tilt pan slightly and swiftly dip each fruit-laden skewer into hot sugar syrup, ensuring complete and uniform coating in one smooth motion.
6. Cooling and Setting: Transfer glazed skewers to parchment-lined surface, allowing the crystalline sugar coating to rapidly cool and harden, creating a delicate, glass-like exterior.
7. Serving: Once sugar shell completely solidifies, gently separate skewers and serve immediately to maintain the crisp, translucent coating and preserve the tanghulu’s pristine texture.

Notes

• Fruit Selection: Choose firm, ripe fruits like strawberries, mandarin oranges, or grapes with no bruises or soft spots for best caramelization results.
• Sugar Syrup Precision: Never stir the sugar mixture while heating to prevent crystallization; instead, gently swirl the pan for even color development.
• Temperature Control: Use a reliable candy thermometer to accurately track syrup temperature, ensuring perfect hard-crack stage without burning.
• Quick Dipping Technique: Work rapidly when coating fruits to prevent sugar from hardening prematurely and maintain a smooth, glossy finish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 50 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg