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    Home » Newest Recipes! » Dessert » Tanghulu

    Tanghulu

    Published: Aug 29, 2020 · Modified: Sep 10, 2020 by Aubrey · This post may contain affiliate links

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    This tanghulu recipe highlights delicious crunchy candied strawberries or other fruit made popular as a favorite Chinese street food!

    tanghulu strawberries on white plate with blueberries and grapes next to plate

    This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through this link (at no extra cost to you).

    Tanghulu

    Tanghulu is a popular candied fruit snack popular throughout northern China. This Chinese street food is different from a traditional candied fruit. Instead of a soft candied fruit, the hardened sugar syrup creates a hard crunchy shell around the fruit. It is served on a long bamboo skewer. If you were wondering how to make tanghulu, you have come to the right place!

    Why this recipe works

    • This delicious candied fruit is easy and beautiful.
    • If you have ever wondered how to make candied fruit, this is an excellent starter option. You can even make this tanghulu recipe without a thermometer!
    • Tanghulu without corn syrup is even more delicious and easy to make!

    Ingredients for this recipe

    labeled photo of individual ingredients to make tanghulu
    1. Granulated Sugar
    2. Water
    3. Strawberries or other fruit of choice

    Best fruit for this tanghulu recipe

    Tanghulu is traditionally made with the hawthorn fruit which is prevalent in China. It is also known as mountain hawthorn, shanzha or hawberry and the flavor is tart, not overly sweet with a texture similar to an apple.

    This candied fruit snack, also referred to as hawthorn candy or candied haw, works well with almost any fruit! I recommend candied strawberries, grapes, mandarins, blueberries, oranges, pineapple and kiwi. My favorite is the candied strawberries recipe!

    How to make this recipe

    Tanghulu recipe process shots 1-4
    1. Wash and pat dry strawberries or fruit of choice.
    2. Arrange fruit on bamboo skewer. I recommend 1-3 pieces per skewer.
    3. Bring water and sugar mixture to a boil.
    4. Using candy thermometer, boil sugar water mixture until the temperature reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This will take approximately 5-10 minutes. If you do not have a candy thermometer, you can test the temperature by dipping a spoon into cold ice water and then dipping the spoon into the syrup. If it hardens immediately, then you have reached the proper temperature.
    5. When sugar water mixture has reached the desired temperature, dip your fruit skewer into the sugar mixture to coat the fruit.
    6. Place each fruit skewer on your sheet pan, silicone baking sheet or parchment paper. If you parchment paper is not good quality, your candy may stick to the paper. You can spray parchment paper with pan spray to help prevent sticking.
    7. Sugar coating should harden almost immediately. This recipe is best eaten right away. If you need to store, cover lightly with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator.
    8. Enjoy!

    FAQ and expert tips

    How to store tanghulu?

    Tanghulu is best when it is first made so that you can enjoy the delicious crunchy shell. If you wish to store it, it is best to store in the refrigerator to maintain the candy shell

    How to make tanghulu sugar?

    Bring a combination of sugar and water to a vigorous boil. Once the temperature reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit, your tanghulu sugar is ready to coat your fruit. The sugar coating should harden quickly.

    How long does tanghulu take to harden?

    If your tanghulu sugar reached the proper temperature of 300 F, it should harden almost immediately.

    Can I make this tanghulu recipe without a thermometer?

    Your sugar and water combination will need to boil for about 10 minutes and start to reduce to a very thick syrup. You can test the temperature by dipping a spoon into cold ice water and then dipping the spoon into the syrup. If it hardens immediately, then you have reached the proper temperature.

    tanghulu strawberries on white plate with orange strawberry and grapes in background

    Looking for other summer desserts to enjoy?

    • Thai Tea Ice Cream
    • Homemade Cake Pops
    • Boxed Cake Mix Hacks
    • Oreo Cheesecake Bites
    • Chickpea Cookie Dough

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    tanghulu fruit strawberries grapes blueberries orange slice on white plate

    Tanghulu

    This tanghulu recipe highlights delicious crunchy candied strawberries or other fruit made popular as a favorite Chinese street food!
    5 from 277 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: asian, Chinese
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 423kcal
    Author: Aubrey
    Cost: $8

    Equipment

    • Candy thermometer, sheet pan, parchment paper or silicone baking mat

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 lb strawberries or other fruit of choice

    Instructions

    • Wash and pat dry strawberries or fruit of choice.
    • Arrange fruit on bamboo skewer. I recommend 1-3 pieces per skewer.
    • Bring water and sugar mixture to a boil.
    • Using candy thermometer, boil sugar water mixture until the temperature reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This will take approximately 5-10 minutes. See Note 1 if you do not have a candy thermometer.
    • When sugar water mixture has reached the desired temperature, dip your fruit skewer into the sugar mixture to coat the fruit.
    • Place each fruit skewer on your sheet pan, silicone baking sheet or parchment paper. See Note 2 about parchment paper.
    • Sugar coating should harden almost immediately. See Note 3 regarding storage.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Note 1: If you do not have a candy thermometer, you can test the temperature by dipping a spoon into cold ice water and then dipping the spoon into the syrup. If it hardens immediately, then you have reached the proper temperature.
    Note 2: If you parchment paper is not good quality, your candy may stick to the paper. You can spray parchment paper with pan spray to help prevent sticking.
    Note 3: Best eaten right away. If you need to store, cover lightly with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 109g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 105g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AubreysHealthyKitchen or tag #aubreyshealthykitchen!
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    About Aubrey

    My name is Aubrey. I am a busy lawyer and momma. While I am passionate about both, I have a place in my heart for great food and want to share it with other food lovers!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. anonymous

      October 06, 2022 at 1:41 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe! A couple of tips I’d like to add are that you can put the strawberries in an ice bath instead and it also works to dip a skewer in the caramelized sugar and then into the ice bath and if it crunches when you bite it, it’s ready to use.

      Reply
    2. Geanie

      May 15, 2022 at 2:38 pm

      I make this all the time now! We use any fruits on hand and experiment with others. A quick n easy snack. Also, we’ve added subtle flavors like cinnamon and fruit juice for a different essence.

      Reply
    3. Simone

      May 25, 2021 at 5:08 am

      5 stars
      It was delicious! We did have a hard time covering the strawberries, and I think our sugar burnt a little and so it taste weird. I think that it would be a good idea for you to add how to clean the pot after. You’re supposed to put some water in the pot and boil it. Scrape the bottom and sides of the pot while it boiling. After a while, pour the boiling sugar water out. Besides the mess to clean up, it was fun to make with the girls. We enjoyed it very much and we even tried it with blueberries and oranges. It was very delicious and this is definitely something we’re going to do again!

      Reply
      • Aubrey

        June 02, 2021 at 9:20 am

        Thanks Simone! I appreciate your thoughtful feedback and your helpful tips to clean the pot after are great! So happy you and your family enjoyed!

        Reply
    4. yus

      May 20, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy 😋 awesome recipe will try again!!!

      Reply
    5. Summer

      April 25, 2021 at 11:13 am

      5 stars
      This is a super easy recipe! I used pieces of grapefruit for my tangulu and it was super good!

      Reply
      • Aubrey

        April 25, 2021 at 11:25 am

        So glad you enjoyed! Tanghulu grapefruit sounds awesome!

        Reply
    6. Hayley

      April 05, 2021 at 4:37 am

      5 stars
      Quick & easy recipe to try for a beginner making tanghulu. Thank you x

      Reply
      • Aubrey

        April 05, 2021 at 8:10 am

        Thank you! 😁

        Reply
    7. AJ

      April 01, 2021 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      I tried this today after being so intimidated about the idea of boiling sugar – And it came out perfectly!! It was so easy and mess-free, and I already can’t wait to make it again. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Aubrey

        April 01, 2021 at 4:22 pm

        Thanks AJ! I am so happy to hear that!

        Reply
    8. Naomie

      March 14, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much Aubrey! They looked so pretty, and my whole family loved it!

      Reply
      • Aubrey

        March 15, 2021 at 8:55 am

        Thanks Naomie! So happy you and your family enjoyed!

        Reply
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