Looking for a delicious treat to prepare in a few minutes? Meet Tanghulu, the Chinese dessert that’s taken over the Internet. With just a few simple ingredients, you can delight your taste buds and impress your friends. These sugar-coated fruit skewers are a feast for the eyes and an explosion of flavor in every bite.
Tanghulu, a traditional street snack from Northern China, is loved for its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The recipe is so simple that even beginner cooks can nail it. Ready to add this viral dessert to your culinary repertoire? Let’s dive in.
Viral Chinese dessert: Tanghulu recipe
Ingredients:
- 300 grams of sugar.
- 150 milliliters of water.
- Fresh fruits of your choice (strawberries, grapes, kiwi, or even small apples).
Instructions:
- Prepare the fruits: Wash and dry your fruits thoroughly, thread them onto skewers to create your fruit kebabs, and set aside.
- Make the candy syrup: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring gently to dissolve the sugar. Let it simmer without stirring further to avoid crystallization. This step takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Readiness test: Once the syrup thickens, test it by dipping a stick into the mixture and then plunging it into cold water. If the candy hardens instantly and cracks when bitten, it’s ready.
- Coat the fruit: Dip each fruit skewer into the syrup, ensuring an even coating. Work quickly, as the syrup hardens fast.
- Cool and set: Immerse the coated skewers in cold water briefly to set the candy shell. Be careful, the syrup is extremely hot.
Tips for success:
- Use cold water: Keep a jar of cold water with ice for testing the syrup and setting the skewers.
- Choose firm fruits: Softer fruits might not hold up well under the heat of the syrup.
- Avoid touching the syrup directly: It can cause serious burns. Use a spoon or tongs.
- Work fast: Once the syrup reaches the right consistency, it hardens quickly. Have everything prepped and ready to go before you start.
It’s easy to see why this snack has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of foodies worldwide. Whether you’re looking for a quick treat or a fun way to impress guests, Tanghulu is a must-try. Grab some sugar and your favorite fruits, and get ready to enjoy a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
If Tanghulu has sparked your love for Chinese desserts, there’s a whole world of sweet treats to explore. You can try Mango Sago, made with sago pearls, coconut milk, and ripe mangoes, perfect for summer days. And if you’re in the mood for something fun, Snow Skin Mooncakes, made with a chewy outer layer and filled with lotus seed paste or red bean, are definitely something different to try out. Each of these desserts will bring its unique taste and charm to your table.