Ever wished your favorite fruit could be encased in a glossy, crunchy sugar shell? Say hello to tanghulu! This Chinese street snack is fun to make, endlessly adaptable, and ridiculously satisfying to crunch into. Grab your favorite fruit, and let’s candy it up!

Ingredients

• Fruit of your choice (strawberries, grapes, orange slices, kiwi, blueberries, etc.)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup light corn syrup (optional for a smoother candy shell)
• Bamboo skewers or toothpicks
• Ice water (for testing sugar stage)

Instructions

1. Prep the Fruit:
   • Wash your fruit thoroughly and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Any moisture can prevent the sugar from sticking properly.
   • If using larger fruits like strawberries or kiwi, slice them as needed and skewer them. Smaller fruits like grapes or blueberries can be skewered individually or in clusters. Set the skewers aside.
2. Set Up Your Workspace:
   • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for the finished tanghulu to cool on.
   • Have a bowl of ice water nearby for testing the sugar syrup.
3. Make the Sugar Syrup:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup (if using). Heat over medium-high heat, stirring gently until the sugar dissolves.
   • Once dissolved, stop stirring and let the mixture boil. Cook until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage) on a candy thermometer. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a bit of the syrup into the ice water; if it hardens immediately and snaps cleanly, it’s ready.
4. Dip the Fruit:
   • Working quickly, hold a skewer by the end and dip the fruit into the hot syrup. Twirl to coat it evenly, letting excess drip off. Be careful, as the sugar syrup is extremely hot.
   • Place the coated fruit onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining skewers. If the syrup thickens too quickly, gently reheat it until it’s fluid again.
5. Cool and Enjoy:
   • Allow the tanghulu to cool completely until the candy shell hardens, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately for maximum crunch!

Pro Tips

• Best Fruits: Firm, waterless fruits like grapes, strawberries, or cherries work best. Juicier fruits may leak and crack the candy shell.
• Customize It: Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or a drizzle of chocolate before the candy sets for extra flair.