Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese street snack made by dipping fresh fruit in hardened sugar syrup, creating a glossy, crunchy candy coating that contrasts beautifully with the juicy fruit inside.
Author:Beth
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes
Yield:6 skewers 1x
Category:Snack
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Chinese
Diet:Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
2 cups fresh fruit (traditionally hawthorn berries; also works with strawberries, grapes, or mandarin segments)
Skewers or bamboo sticks
Optional: sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Wash and dry the fruit thoroughly. Ensure there’s no moisture on the surface.
Thread the fruit onto skewers and set aside.
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium heat without stirring, swirling the pan occasionally.
Cook until the syrup reaches 300°F (150°C), or the hard crack stage. This takes about 8–10 minutes.
Once the syrup is ready, quickly dip each fruit skewer into the syrup to coat, letting excess drip off.
Place coated skewers on a parchment-lined tray to cool and harden.
Serve immediately once the coating is fully set for the best crunch.
Notes
Work quickly once the syrup is ready— it hardens fast.
Use a candy thermometer to ensure accuracy.
Best enjoyed fresh, as the sugar coating may melt in humid conditions.