Tanghulu (Candied Strawberry Skewers)
Fresh strawberries wrapped in a thin shell of hard clear sugar that cracks when you bite. Quick, fun and very crunchy.
- Time25 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.06 a head
- Oven150°C (130°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Thread 3 to 4 strawberries onto each skewer. The fruit must be completely dry or the sugar will not stick.
- 2
Line a tray with baking paper, and put a bowl of iced water close by.
- 3
Put the sugar and water in a small, heavy pan. Heat gently, without stirring, until the sugar melts, then boil for 8 to 10 minutes until it reaches 150°C (130°C fan), hard crack stage, and looks pale golden.
10 min - 4
Take the pan off the heat. Tilt it and quickly roll a skewer of berries in the syrup to coat all sides. Let the extra drip off.
- 5
Plunge the coated fruit into the iced water for a couple of seconds to set, then place on the tray. Repeat quickly before the syrup hardens.
- 6
Eat within 2 hours, as the sugar shell will soften and weep as time goes on.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.