Description
Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese street snack featuring fruit skewers coated in a clear, crackly sugar shell. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and crunchy — and makes for a beautiful treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup (optional, for shine and stability)
- Fresh fruit (traditionally hawthorn, but strawberries, grapes, tangerine segments, or kiwi also work)
- Wooden skewers
- Parchment paper or silicone mat (for drying)
Instructions
- Prep Fruit: Wash and completely dry fruit. Thread 3–4 pieces onto each skewer. Moisture will prevent the sugar from sticking, so drying is critical.
- Make Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup. Heat over medium-high heat without stirring. Use a candy thermometer and bring to 300°F (hard crack stage).
- Coat the Fruit: Once syrup reaches temperature, remove from heat. Working quickly, dip each skewer into the hot syrup, turning to coat evenly.
- Set: Place dipped skewers on parchment paper or a silicone mat to cool and harden completely. Serve fresh!
Notes
Be extremely careful when working with hot sugar. Avoid making tanghulu on humid days, as the sugar may get sticky. Best enjoyed shortly after preparation for optimal crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack or Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: tanghulu, candied fruit, chinese street food, crunchy fruit skewers, sugar coated fruit