Fruit Tanghulu

Tanghulu, a popular Chinese treat, features fresh fruit coated in a crunchy, sugary shell. This microwave-friendly method is fast, simple, and brings a bit of magic to your favorite fruits. With just sugar, water, and your choice of fruit, you’ll have a batch of Tanghulu ready in minutes!

Ingredients

2 tbsp sugar
6 tbsp water
Washed and fully dried fruit of choice

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Sugar Mixture
Add the sugar to a heat-safe container, followed by the water. Do not stir the mixture—this is crucial to allow proper crystallization. Place the container in the microwave.

Step 2: Microwave the Sugar
Microwave in 30-second increments, keeping a close eye on the color. After each increment, check if the sugar has dissolved and started turning amber. Do not stir during this process, as it could disturb the crystallization.

Note: The sugar burns quickly once it starts changing color. When it starts to turn amber, reduce to 15-second increments to avoid burning.

Step 3: Coat the Fruit
Once your sugar has reached an amber color (typically 3-4 minutes for a single serving), carefully dip each piece of fruit in the melted sugar. Make sure to coat the fruit entirely, then quickly place it in an ice bath to harden the candy shell.