How to make sugar fruit

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This Strawberry Tanghulu has a sweet crunchy shell on the outside and ripe strawberries on the inside. It’s easy to make and perfect for a summer treat.

If you love Asian-inspired sweets, then you should try this amazing dango and these tasty mochi donuts.

Recipe Details

I love this simple and sweet treat because it looks as good as it tastes. They make a great dessert, snack, or addition to an appetizer platter at a barbecue or party.

• TASTE: Sweet sugar coating and ripe strawberries give this snack a sweet and slightly tart flavor.
• TEXTURE: The fruit is nice and tender, but the outside shell adds delicious crunch. Biting into this Strawberry Tanghulu is so yummy.
• TIME: This recipe will take you less than half an hour.
• EASE: With only 3 ingredients and step-by-step instructions, this dessert is simple and easy. You’ll love serving it all summer long.

What You’ll Need

Ingredient Notes

• Strawberries- Look for ripe strawberries that are firm and plump, without any bruises or blemishes. Organic usually packs the best flavor.
• Bamboo skewers– These thin, strong sticks are perfect for spearing smaller foods, like strawberries. You can also use chopsticks, but they tend to be thicker and harder to push through.
• Sugar + Water- This corn syrup-free recipe uses these two ingredients to create the simple syrup that makes the tanghulu shell around the strawberries.

• Substitute other fruits- You can also make this tanghulu recipe using fruits like apples, oranges, blueberries, grapes, pineapples, kiwi, and more.
• Add honey- You can add a little extra sweetness by drizzling honey over the tanghulu once it has hardened.
• Use corn syrup- You can also make these by adding some corn syrup to the sugar and water before boiling. It can help prevent crystallization as well as add sweetness.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds- This is a variation that adds a nutty flavor to this sweet treat. Do this step before the sugar coating has hardened so they adhere.

How to Make Strawberry Tanghulu

• Prep the strawberries. Rinse and dry the fresh strawberries by patting them with a paper towel. Place the strawberries on bamboo skewers and prepare a bowl of ice water. Set it aside.

• Boil the sugar and water. Add the granulated sugar and water to a saucepan and bring it to medium-high heat. Once the temperature hits 300 degrees Fahrenheit, turn the heat off.
• Dip the strawberries in. Now quickly but carefully swirl each skewered strawberry into the sugar syrup up to the stems, but not covering them.

Pro Tip: Use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature of the sugar. It can easily get too hot and burn, ruining the mixture.

• Let them cool. Once the strawberries are coated in the sugar mixture, gently stir them in the iced water for a few seconds. Then stand the dipped strawberries in a block of styrofoam to let the extra water drip off. Enjoy immediately for best crunch and flavor.

Recipe Tips

• Thoroughly dry the strawberries- Pat them with paper towels because you want to remove all moisture on them. Otherwise, it will crystallize the sugar in the syrup.
• Don’t get sugar on the stems- Try to keep them from the sugar when you dip the strawberries. They look prettier when the fresh green stems poke out.
• Prepare the ice bath ahead of time- You won’t have time once the fruit has been covered in hot sugar syrup. Prep the ice water early so you can dip them in quickly.
• Use a styrofoam block- I find this is the easiest way to stand the candied fruit up to cool, so drips fall down and one side doesn’t get smooshed from lying flat.

FAQs

What fruit is tanghulu made of?

Tanghulu is a Chinese snack that is traditionally made with mountain hawthorn berries, which look like small red crab apples. You can also make strawberry tanghulu, or make it with grapes, blueberries, orange slices, and others.

What does tanghulu taste like?

Traditionally, tanghulu will have a tart flavor and apple-like texture when made with Chinese hawthorn fruit. The fruit is really what makes the flavor. This Strawberry Tanghulu is sweet with a touch of tartness, and the texture is tender and juicy once you bite through the crunchy candy shell.

Serving Suggestions

This Strawberry Tanghulu is sweet and crunchy and goes well with whatever you’re serving. Here are some great dishes to enjoy with it.

• Sides/Appetizers: Serve this at a party or barbecue alongside dishes like Potato Salad with Baked Salmon, Eggplant Roll-ups, or Mushroom Puff Pastry Appetizers.
• Salads: Enjoy it on a platter, such as this Charcuterie Board, or with an Antipasto Salad, Kani Salad, or Tri Color Pasta Salad (VIDEO).
• Desserts: Pair it with Red Velvet Cake Pops(VIDEO), Oreo Cheesecake (VIDEO), Easy Dango, or Ube Ice Cream.
• Snacks: Snack on this Strawberry Tanghulu along with Air Fryer Kale Chips, Candied Pecans, Edible Sugar Cookie Dough, and Crispy Air Fryer Apple Chips.

Make This Recipe in Advance

Make ahead: These snacks need to be enjoyed immediately for the best crunch and flavor. But to save time, you can skewer the strawberries beforehand and store them in the fridge before making the sugar mixture to coat them.

Storing: Store this Strawberry Tanghulu in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers in the refrigerator. They will last for about 4-5 hours before they begin to leak moisture and become more sticky than crunchy. But they are edible for up to 2 weeks when stored carefully.

Freeze: You shouldn’t freeze these because the sugar will crystallize and they will get soggy when thawed. Best to eat them soon after they have cooled.

More Asian-inspired Dishes!

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.

Let’s connect on social media! 😍 find me @ Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. And don’t forget to tag me if you try one of my recipes!

Full Recipe Instructions

Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!

Latest posts by Dina (see all)