Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese street snack that has captured global attention for its striking appearance and satisfying crunch. Made by dipping fresh fruit in hot sugar syrup, tanghulu hardens into a glossy, glass-like shell that cracks delightfully with each bite. It’s often called âcandied fruit on a stick,â and while it may look like something out of a fairy tale, itâs surprisingly simple to make at home.
Originating from northern China, tanghulu is most commonly made with hawthorn berries, but modern versions often feature strawberries, grapes, blueberries, kiwi, oranges, or even cherry tomatoes. The key to perfect tanghulu is the thin, crisp sugar coating that contrasts beautifully with the juicy fruit inside.
To make tanghulu, fruit is first washed, dried thoroughly, and skewered onto bamboo sticks. Meanwhile, a sugar syrup is prepared by heating granulated sugar and water to around 150°C (300°F), the âhard crackâ stage. Timing is crucialâif the syrup is too cool, it wonât harden; too hot, and it could burn. Once ready, the fruit skewers are quickly dipped into the syrup and cooled on parchment or an ice bath to set.
The result? A stunning, mirror-like glaze that enhances the natural beauty of the fruit and delivers a sweet, crunchy experience unlike any other. No wonder tanghulu has become a viral trend on TikTok and Instagram, with people customizing it using different fruits, colors, and even edible glitter.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, tanghulu is loved for its texture contrastâcrispy on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside. Itâs a fun treat for kids and adults alike, whether youâre serving it at parties, using it as a dessert garnish, or just making a weekend snack with a twist.
If youâre looking for a new food trend to try at home, tanghulu is the perfect mix of nostalgia, fun, and flavor. Just be sure to handle hot sugar with careâand prepare to impress with every bite.
Ingredients
- 10 pieces hawthorn berries Or other small fruits like strawberries or grapes
- 1 cup granulated sugar Use white sugar for a clear coating
- 1/2 cup water
- 5 sticks bamboo skewers Soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Wash the hawthorn berries (or other fruits) thoroughly and pat them dry.
- Skewer the fruits onto bamboo sticks, leaving a small gap between each fruit.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts bubbling.
- Continue to cook the sugar mixture until it reaches a light amber color and is thick enough to form strands when drizzled from a spoon.
- Quickly dip each fruit skewer into the hot sugar syrup, rotating to coat evenly.
- Place the coated skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet or a wire rack to cool and harden.
- Serve the Tanghulu once the sugary coating has hardened completely.
Nutrition
I don’t know what went wrong, mine turned out all sticky and the sugar didn’t harden. đą
Delicious! Those hawthorn berries are rare though, anyone know where to find them?
Watched a vid on this before. Lookin good but do u really need to soak the skewers? Seems unnecessary.
Yeah, soaking them helps prevent the skewers from burning if you cook over heat. Gives a better outcome!
So easy, even my kids helped! We loved it! Definitely gonna make again!
This is a good recipe but the sugar part scared me. I burnt my first batch. Be careful!
I totally get that! Sugar can turn fast from delightful to disaster. Next time, just keep an eye on the color. If it gets too dark, take it off heat! Good luck!
Why you scared? Just gotta watch it. I made this with my kids and we all had fun! No burning here! đ
Just tried this! My tanghulu was too sweet! Can I reduce the sugar?
Tanghulu is supposed to be made with hawthorn berries, right? I don’t get why people use other fruits.
Amazing! I made these with strawberries and they were a hit at the party. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t know… it seems too complicated for something so simple. Can’t I just buy it?
Used grapes instead and they came out super yummy! Sweet and crunchy. đ€€
Grapes sound like a fun twist! I never would’ve thought to use them instead of hawthorn berries. Canât wait to try it! đ
Tanghulu! Just like my grandma used to make! Brings back such good memories. Thank you!
I’m glad it brought back wonderful memories! Tanghulu is such a nostalgic treat. What other recipes did your grandma make?
Never heard of Tanghulu before. Looks like a glorified candy apple lol. Is it worth it?
I hope this works! Gonna try with some apples and let you know!
Good luck! Apples would be a fun twist, can’t wait to hear how it turns out! đ
Yummy! But be careful, the sugar is HOT. My friend burned his hand trying to dip! đ
Eh, not what I expected. The sugar didnât melt right for me. Maybe I did something wrong?
This is too sugary! I think I need to support the no sugar diet! đ€·ââïž
Not that sute when u compare it to candy. Just buy candy instead
I guess if u like candy more, thats cool, but this is a totally different thing. I love Tanghulu!
Tanghulu is way better than candy! Itâs healthier and just as sweet. Give it a try!
Hawthorn berries? Where do I even find those? I used grapes instead!
Yummm! Easy to follow and the taste is just like the ones I had in China!
My first attempt turned out like mushy blobs. What did I do wrong? đ
This recipe is AMAZING! I made it with strawberries and my kids loved it!
I can’t find hawthorn berries anywhere! Can I use apples or something instead? đ€
This recipe is AMAZING! I made it with strawberries and they turned out perfect! Kids loved it!