Tanghulu are crunchy, jewel-like candied fruit skewers that are ideal for summer but are fun to make anytime. They're made by dipping fresh fruit — strawberries, blueberries, and grapes are some of the best — into heated sugar syrup then dunking it into an ice-water bath to harden the sugar into a glass-like shell. This easy method using a microwave takes less than 30 minutes.
Handling hot sugar might seem scary (we're working with 300°F syrup, after all), but with careful attention, it's a breeze. We'll use toothpicks to skewer just a few fruits at a time, making it easy to coat them with the hot sugar syrup. Microwaving the sugar in a heat-safe, disposable cup makes for easy cleanup and keeps your kitchen cooler.
Video of the Day
Best enjoyed the same day they're made, these beautifully presented treats are a fun way to eat your fruit.
Video: Easiest Way to Make Tanghulu — Candied Fruit
Tools You'll Need
Paper towels
Toothpicks
Microwave- and heat-safe cup
Microwave-safe plate or dish
Candy thermometer
Towel or heat-safe glove
Bowl of ice water
Heat-safe tray with parchment paper or silicone mat
Ingredients You'll Need
- 8 to 12 oz. fresh fruit or berries
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup water
1. Prepare the fruit
Rinse the fruit thoroughly to make sure it's clean. Remove all stems. You can keep leaves on strawberries or remove them, as desired.
Thoroughly dry the fruit; this is important for a successful sugar coating.
2. Skewer the fruit
Skewer each piece of fruit with a toothpick, and set aside. With smaller fruits, like grapes and blueberries, you can have multiples on a single toothpick.
Prepare an ice-water bath in a large bowl.
3. Mix the sugar syrup
Add 1/2 cup water to 1 cup granulated white sugar in a disposable microwave-safe cup or dish, and mix them together. The container must be heat-safe to a minimum of 300°F, the temperature required to make the sugar harden properly. (You can also mix the sugar and water in a measuring cup or other container and pour it into a disposable cup, as we've done here.)
Tip
If you don't want to heat the sugar syrup in the microwave, you can also do it in a pot on a stovetop. The process is the same, and you still want the sugar syrup to reach 300°F so it will harden properly.
4. Microwave the sugar syrup
Place the cup or dish on a microwave-safe plate for easy handling. Microwave the sugar solution for 3 minutes and then in 30-second increments until the mixture reaches 300°F according to a candy thermometer.
Warning
As the syrup reaches 300°F, it will start to heat very quickly. Be careful not to heat it for too long in the microwave as you get closer to 300°F or it will burn. It should not exceed 350°F. Be very careful, and use a dry towel or heat-proof glove to handle the hot container.
5. Dip into the sugar
Quickly dip each fruit skewer into the hot sugar while rotating to evenly coat the fruit.
6. Dip into ice water
Once the fruit is coated with syrup, quickly dip it into the ice water bath, then shake off the excess water.
7. Let the candy harden
Place the candy onto a tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat to cool. The candy will harden as it cools. It should be ready to eat in about 2 to 3 minutes. Enjoy!
