How to Make Tanghulu
About this recipe
Tanghulu is a fun and popular street food from China, featuring fruit coated in a crunchy sugar glass. This recipe is straightforward and perfect for anyone looking to try their hand at candy-making at home.
In this video, Matt Taylor shows you how to create this delightful treat using just a few ingredients. The process is simple, and the results are impressive, making it a great project for both beginners and seasoned cooks.
Ingredient notes
- Use a variety of fruits such as strawberries, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches as desired.
- If you want to make a smaller batch, you can use 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water instead of the larger amounts.
Tips from In The Kitchen With Matt’s video
- Make sure to rinse and dry the fruit thoroughly before skewering to ensure the sugar adheres properly.
- Bring the sugar solution to 300°F (150°C) for the hard crack stage, which is crucial for achieving the right texture.
- Work quickly when dipping the fruit into the hot sugar solution, as it thickens as it cools.
Good to know
- How long does it take to make Tanghulu?
- The total time to make Tanghulu is about 30 minutes.
- What temperature should the sugar solution reach?
- The sugar solution should reach 300°F (150°C), which is the hard crack stage.
- What fruits can I use for Tanghulu?
- You can use strawberries, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and sliced peaches.
- What can I do with leftover sugar solution?
- You can pour leftover sugar solution onto a silicone mat to create candy glass or reheat it with more water to make a simple syrup.
No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to In The Kitchen With Matt: watch the original on YouTube.
The recipe
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Rinse and dry the fruit thoroughly. Cut off the stem ends of the strawberries if desired.
- 2
Prepare the sugar solution by combining 4 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water in a pot. This is a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water by volume.
- 3
Set the burner to medium-high heat and bring the sugar solution to a temperature of 300°F (150°C), which is the hard crack stage. This will take about 25 to 30 minutes.
- 4
While the sugar is melting, prepare the fruit by skewering grapes and strawberries onto wooden skewers. You can use a variety of fruits if desired.
- 5
Once the sugar solution reaches the correct temperature, remove it from the heat. Dip the skewered fruit into the hot sugar solution, allowing the excess to drip off.
- 6
Immediately place the dipped fruit into ice cold water to harden the sugar coating.
- 7
If there is leftover sugar solution, pour it onto a silicone mat to create candy glass or reheat it with more water to make a simple syrup for drinks.
Heads up — we had to guess a little:
- The quantity of fruit is inferred based on common usage for Tanghulu, as the exact amount was not specified.
Credit where it’s due: this recipe was transcribed from In The Kitchen With Matt’s original video on YouTube. Follow them there — it’s their dish.
Are you In The Kitchen With Matt? Claim this page or ask us to take it down. Your call, always.
