🍓 Tanghulu (Candied Fruit Skewers)
The stunning Chinese street food that went viral — fresh fruit coated in crackling sugar glass. Satisfying ASMR crunch.
Dietary: vegan, gluten-free
Category: dessert
Ingredients
- 12 large Strawberries (substitutions: Grapes, Mandarin segments, Blueberries)
- 2 cups Sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Light corn syrup (substitutions: Glucose syrup)
Equipment
- Bamboo skewers
- Heavy saucepan
- Candy thermometer (recommended)
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
Instructions
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Step 1: Wash and thoroughly dry fruit. Thread 2-3 pieces onto each bamboo skewer.
What to look for: Completely dry fruit — no water droplets
Watch out: ANY moisture will cause sugar to crystallize and turn cloudy; Pat dry with paper towels twice
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Step 2: Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in a saucepan. Heat over medium-high WITHOUT stirring.
What to look for: Clear mixture that starts bubbling vigorously
Watch out: DO NOT STIR once it starts boiling - causes crystallization; Use a candy thermometer if you have one
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Step 3: Heat to 300°F (150°C) hard-crack stage. Test by dropping a bit into ice water — it should harden instantly and crack.
What to look for: Pale golden color, drops that shatter in cold water
Watch out: Sugar goes from perfect to burnt in seconds at this stage; If it turns amber/dark, it's too far
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Step 4: Working quickly, dip each fruit skewer into hot sugar, twirling to coat evenly. Place on parchment or silicone mat.
What to look for: Thin, glassy, transparent sugar coating
Watch out: Sugar is EXTREMELY hot — be very careful; Work fast before sugar cools and thickens
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Step 5: Let cool 2-3 minutes until sugar shell hardens. Eat within 2 hours for best crunch.
What to look for: Crackling glass-like coating that shatters when bitten
Watch out: Humidity is the enemy - sugar coating softens quickly; Don't refrigerate - condensation ruins the crunch
Original source: tiktok
Guided step-by-step with AI-powered photo feedback on Kitchen's Witch.