Candied Strawberry Tanghulu Skewers (Printable Version)

Juicy strawberries coated in glossy sugar for a sweet crunch. Snappy fruit on skewers, inspired by classic Chinese street fare.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 16 fresh strawberries, stems removed, thoroughly washed and dried

→ Sugar Syrup

02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup water
04 - 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar or 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Wash strawberries, remove stems, and ensure all fruit is completely dry. Thread 2 strawberries onto each wooden or bamboo skewer.
02 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for placing the sugar-coated skewers.
03 - Combine granulated sugar, water, and cream of tartar (if using) in a medium saucepan. Gently stir just to integrate ingredients then set on medium heat.
04 - Boil the mixture without further stirring until the temperature reaches 302°F (hard crack stage), approximately 7–10 minutes. The syrup should remain clear.
05 - Remove pan from heat. Quickly dip each strawberry skewer into hot syrup, twisting to ensure an even coating. Allow excess syrup to drip off.
06 - Arrange coated skewers on the lined baking sheet to cool and harden. Serve immediately to enjoy the best crisp texture.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Easy to make with just three main ingredients
  • Stunningly beautiful and perfect for parties or gifting
  • Crisp sugar shell stays shatteringly crisp when made fresh
  • Can use other fruits like grapes or tangerine segments for variety
02 -
  • Naturally gluten free and vegetarian
  • Perfect for kids’ parties or as a creative dessert
  • Extremely quick to make for entertaining
03 -
  • Dry fruit more than you think is necessary Even a hint of water ruins the perfect shell
  • Use a heavy bottomed pot to keep sugar heating evenly and always monitor closely near the finish line The visual cue is syrup turning crystal clear and rapid bubbling so do not rely only on time If you do not have a candy thermometer test the syrup by dropping a bit in ice water it should instantly harden to a brittle snap
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