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viral tanghulu 1

Viral Tanghulu (Candied Fruit on a Stick)

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Cooling Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Servings: 4–6 sticks (depending on fruit size)
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients
  • 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
  • ½ cup 120 ml water
  • 6 –8 strawberries or any firm fruit: grapes, mandarin slices, blueberries, or cherry tomatoes
  • Wooden skewers 4–6
  • Ice water bath large bowl filled with ice and cold water

Method
 

  1. Directions
  2. Prepare the Fruit
  3. Wash and thoroughly dry your fruit — completely dry fruit is key to a crisp coating. Skewer several pieces of fruit onto each wooden stick.
  4. Make the Sugar Syrup
  5. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and let the mixture boil undisturbed.
  6. Check the Temperature
  7. Allow the syrup to reach 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer — this is the “hard crack” stage. (If you don’t have a thermometer, drip a little syrup into cold water; it should harden instantly and snap.)
  8. Coat the Fruit
  9. Working quickly, dip each fruit skewer into the syrup, turning to coat evenly. Let excess syrup drip off.
  10. Cool the Tanghulu
  11. Immediately place each coated skewer on parchment paper or dip briefly into the ice water bath to harden the sugar shell.
  12. Serve & Enjoy
  13. Enjoy immediately for the best crunch. Tanghulu is best eaten the same day it’s made

Notes

Chef’s Tip
• Use small, firm fruit — juicy or overripe fruit can cause the coating to slip off.
• To avoid crystallization, don’t stir once the sugar begins boiling.
• For flavor variations, add a drop of lemon juice, a bit of honey, or food coloring to the syrup.