Description
Strawberry Tanghulu is a classic Chinese street snack featuring fresh strawberries coated in a shiny, crisp sugar glaze. This recipe combines simple ingredients and a quick candy-making technique to create a delightful treat with a crunchy shell and juicy fruit inside, perfect for summer or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 1 pound fresh strawberries (about 12-15)
Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Other
- 6 wooden skewers
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash the strawberries thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or residues, then dry them completely with a clean towel to ensure the syrup sticks properly.
- Skewer Strawberries: Insert wooden skewers through the tops of the strawberries, threading three to four berries per skewer for easy handling and serving.
- Make Sugar Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar and filtered water over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar fully dissolves, then let the mixture simmer without stirring until it reaches the soft ball stage, about 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Add Lemon Juice: Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the lemon juice to help prevent the syrup from crystallizing and to add a slight tangy flavor.
- Dip Strawberries: Carefully dip each strawberry skewer into the hot sugar syrup, coating all the berries completely. Hold the skewer above the pan to let excess syrup drip off.
- Cool and Set: Place the coated skewers on parchment paper and let them cool at room temperature until the candy shell hardens into a shiny, crisp coating.
Notes
- Use fully ripe strawberries for the best flavor, but ensure they are firm to hold their shape when dipped.
- Maintaining the syrup temperature is crucial; a candy thermometer is recommended for accuracy.
- Work quickly when dipping as the syrup hardens fast once off the heat.
- Store Tanghulu at room temperature and consume within a day for optimal crispness.
- To prevent the syrup from sticking, avoid moisture on the strawberries before dipping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
