Tanghulu Candied Fruit Skewers

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pound assorted fruits (strawberries, grapes, kiwi, mandarin orange segments, etc.)
• 6 wooden skewers

Instructions

1. 1.

   Wash and thoroughly dry the fruit. Cut larger fruits into bite-sized pieces.

2. 2.

   Thread the fruit onto the wooden skewers.

3. 3.

   In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

4. 4.

   Once the sugar is dissolved, stop stirring. Let the mixture boil undisturbed until it reaches the hard crack stage (300-310°F or 149-154°C on a candy thermometer). The syrup should be a light golden color.

5. 5.

   Remove the saucepan from the heat. Quickly dip each fruit skewer into the hot sugar syrup, coating the fruit evenly. Tilt the pan as needed to ensure full coverage.

6. 6.

   Place the candied fruit skewers on a lightly oiled baking sheet or parchment paper to cool and harden. This will take about 5-10 minutes.

7. 7.

   Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Wooden skewers
• Candy thermometer (optional)
• Baking sheet or parchment paper
• Tongs or chopsticks

Tips

• Ensure the fruit is completely dry before dipping in the syrup, as moisture will prevent the sugar from adhering properly.
• Work quickly when dipping the fruit, as the sugar syrup hardens rapidly.
• If the syrup starts to crystallize, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to prevent further crystallization.
• You can add food coloring to the sugar syrup for a more vibrant appearance.