Description
Candy Fruit Skewers feature fresh strawberries coated in a crisp, sweet candy shell made from a perfect sugar syrup cooked to the hard crack stage. These tanghulu-style skewers offer a delightful contrast between juicy fruit and crunchy coating, making for an irresistible dessert or snack that’s visually appealing and deliciously nostalgic.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled
Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Tools
- 10–12 wooden skewers
- Parchment paper (for setting)
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash and hull the strawberries, then carefully insert wooden skewers into each one, ensuring the fruit is secure for dipping and serving.
- Make Candy Syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, water, and light corn syrup. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely, then stop stirring and allow the mixture to boil.
- Cook to Hard Crack Stage: Boil the syrup without stirring until it reaches 300°F on a candy thermometer, which usually takes 10–12 minutes. This temperature ensures a crisp, crunchy coating.
- Add Vanilla (Optional): Remove the syrup from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor, if using.
- Dip Strawberries: Immediately dip each strawberry on the skewer into the hot syrup, swirling to coat the fruit completely. Let any excess syrup drip back into the pan.
- Set Candy Coating: Place the coated skewers upright in a foam block or lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool and harden completely.
- Serve: Allow the candy coating to cool fully before serving to enjoy the perfect crunchy texture.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer to ensure the syrup reaches the hard crack stage (300°F) for the right crunch.
- Dried or wet fruit may affect candy adhesion—make sure fruits are dry before dipping.
- Other fruits like grapes or apple chunks work well as alternatives.
- Enjoy the skewers the same day for maximum crunchiness as the candy coating can soften over time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Candying
- Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired (Tanghulu-style)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
