Strawberry Tanghulu is a delectable Chinese street snack that originated from the Northern regions of China, traditionally using hawthorn berries coated in a hard candy shell. The simplicity of the ingredients, combined with the unique textural contrast between the crunchy sugar coating and the juicy fruit inside, makes Strawberry Tanghulu a beloved treat worldwide.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Asian
Keyword Strawberries, Sugar
Total Time 35 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Calories 155kcal
Ingredients
1poundfresh strawberrieswashed and dried
2cupsgranulated sugar
1cupwater
1tablespooncorn syrupoptional
Instructions
Begin by washing the strawberries thoroughly and patting them completely dry with a paper towel. Any moisture left on the strawberries can prevent the sugar from adhering properly.
Skewer the strawberries onto bamboo sticks or toothpicks, typically placing 2-3 strawberries per skewer. Set them aside on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, and corn syrup (if using). Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Once the sugar has dissolved, stop stirring and let the mixture come to a boil. Continue cooking the syrup until it reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer, known as the hard crack stage.
Quickly dip each skewered strawberry into the hot syrup, ensuring that it is fully coated. Allow any excess syrup to drip off before placing the skewer on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Let the coated strawberries cool and harden for about 5-10 minutes, until the candy shell is fully set.
Once hardened, serve the Strawberry Tanghulu immediately or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours.