Tanghulu (Candied Fruit Skewers)
Tanghulu (Candied Fruit Skewers)
Ingredients
For the Candied Fruit
- 1 pound strawberries, washed and dried, stems removed
- 2 oranges, peeled and segmented, white pith removed
- 8 wooden skewers
For the Sugar Syrup
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For the Ice Bath
- 4 cups ice
- 4 cups cold water
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the fruit: Thread 3-4 strawberries onto each of four wooden skewers. For the oranges, thread 3-4 segments onto the remaining four wooden skewers. Ensure the fruit is dry.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Prepare the ice bath: Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Set aside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Make the sugar syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water. Place the saucepan over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Stirring can cause crystallization. Allow the syrup to boil until it reaches the hard crack stage (approximately 300-310°F or 149-154°C). This can take 10-15 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min
- 4
Test the syrup: To test if the syrup is ready, dip the end of a wooden skewer into the boiling syrup, then immediately plunge it into the ice bath. The syrup should harden instantly and be brittle when removed. If it's still sticky or chewy, continue boiling the syrup for a few more minutes and test again.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Coat the fruit: Once the sugar syrup is at the hard crack stage, carefully hold a fruit skewer over the saucepan. Using a spoon, ladle the hot sugar syrup over the fruit, rotating the skewer to ensure all sides are evenly coated. Work quickly as the syrup will start to harden.
⏱️ 8 min
- 6
Harden the candy coating: Immediately after coating, plunge the candied fruit skewer into the prepared ice bath. Hold it in the ice bath for at least 10-15 seconds, or until the sugar coating is completely hard and shiny. Repeat the coating and hardening process for all remaining fruit skewers.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Chill and serve: Leave the candied fruit skewers in the ice bath for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure they are fully chilled and the coating is firm. Carefully remove them from the ice bath and serve immediately. Tanghulu is best enjoyed fresh.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Clean the pan: To clean the saucepan, add 1-2 cups of water to the pan with the residual sugar. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all the hardened sugar has dissolved. Pour out the sugar water and wash the pan as usual.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Tanghulu (Candied Fruit Skewers)
For the Candied Fruit
- 1 pound strawberries, washed and dried, stems removed
- 2 oranges, peeled and segmented, white pith removed
- 8 wooden skewers
For the Sugar Syrup
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For the Ice Bath
- 4 cups ice
- 4 cups cold water
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the fruit: Thread 3-4 strawberries onto each of four wooden skewers. For the oranges, thread 3-4 segments onto the remaining four wooden skewers. Ensure the fruit is dry.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Prepare the ice bath: Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Set aside.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Make the sugar syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water. Place the saucepan over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Stirring can cause crystallization. Allow the syrup to boil until it reaches the hard crack stage (approximately 300-310°F or 149-154°C). This can take 10-15 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min - 4
Test the syrup: To test if the syrup is ready, dip the end of a wooden skewer into the boiling syrup, then immediately plunge it into the ice bath. The syrup should harden instantly and be brittle when removed. If it's still sticky or chewy, continue boiling the syrup for a few more minutes and test again.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Coat the fruit: Once the sugar syrup is at the hard crack stage, carefully hold a fruit skewer over the saucepan. Using a spoon, ladle the hot sugar syrup over the fruit, rotating the skewer to ensure all sides are evenly coated. Work quickly as the syrup will start to harden.
⏱️ 8 min - 6
Harden the candy coating: Immediately after coating, plunge the candied fruit skewer into the prepared ice bath. Hold it in the ice bath for at least 10-15 seconds, or until the sugar coating is completely hard and shiny. Repeat the coating and hardening process for all remaining fruit skewers.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Chill and serve: Leave the candied fruit skewers in the ice bath for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure they are fully chilled and the coating is firm. Carefully remove them from the ice bath and serve immediately. Tanghulu is best enjoyed fresh.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Clean the pan: To clean the saucepan, add 1-2 cups of water to the pan with the residual sugar. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all the hardened sugar has dissolved. Pour out the sugar water and wash the pan as usual.
⏱️ 5 min