Viral Tanghulu

How to make the trending Chinese candy fruit skewers

Tanghulu is a popular Chinese street snack made of fruit coated in a hard, shiny sugar shell. It’s crunchy, sweet, and super satisfying to make at home — especially if you want a viral dessert video.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1/3 cup water
  
• 1 tbsp light corn syrup (optional, but helps prevent crystallization)
  
• 1 cup strawberries or grapes (or mix of fruits)
  
• Wooden skewers

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fruit

• Wash and dry the fruit completely (this is important).
  
• Pat dry with paper towels so the sugar sticks properly.
  
• Thread the fruit onto skewers.
  

2. Make the Sugar Coating

1. In a small pot, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup.
   
2. Heat on medium-high and bring to a boil.
   
3. Let it boil until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage).
   

• • If you don’t have a thermometer, it should be very hard and brittle when dropped into cold water.
    

3. Coat the Fruit

• Dip each skewer into the hot sugar mixture, making sure it’s fully covered.
  
• Hold it up to let the excess drip off.
  
• Place on parchment paper to cool and harden.
  

4. Optional: Add Sprinkles

• Add sprinkles right after coating while the sugar is still sticky.

Why it Works

Tanghulu is simple because it uses only sugar and fruit — but the texture is what makes it viral. The shiny candy shell cracks loudly when you bite it, and it looks amazing on camera.

Tool Tip (Important for Viral Results)

To get a perfect glossy finish and consistent heat, you need a reliable candy thermometer — and a good sturdy saucepan.

Explore our selection of cookware tools to find the right pot and thermometer for making tanghulu at home.