These Candied Strawberries are a fun and elegant way to enhance the flavor and presentation of strawberries. I love biting into the hard candy shell to reveal the soft, sweet strawberry on the inside. I made these for my husband one Valentine’s Day, but they are just as fun as a treat for kids. And, the best part is they are easy to make with just three ingredients!
Also known as strawberry tanghulu, they’re a delicious Asian treat that combines juicy, ripe strawberries with a crisp sugar coating. They’re vibrant and shiny – perfect for a unique and impressive treat.
Candied Strawberries Recipe
These candied strawberries are all the rage, and after you make them, you’ll definitely see why. Candy apples have been a favorite at county fairs and harvest carnivals for years, but recently, candied strawberries have taken the internet by storm. These little glistening jewels are made with just three simple ingredients: water, sugar, and plump, juicy strawberries. They’re crispy, juicy, and so sweet and delicious.
Grouped on skewers, these candied berries make a simple and unique dessert on their own, but you can also use individual ones as a garnish for a cake or as a cupcake topper. Their vibrant red colors and glossy finish make them so striking that you even place them in a pretty container as a strawberry bouquet for a centerpiece on your dessert table. Not only do they look beautiful, but their sweet, thin candy shell and juicy strawberry center make them completely irresistible.
For other fun and slightly different sweet treats, check out these Sugared Grapes and this Cinnamon Rock Candy.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Delicious – Fresh, juicy berries with a sweet, crispy candy shell that snaps perfectly with every bite.
- Beautiful – Their shiny, bright red color makes them a showstopper at any party or special occasion.
- Easy to make – With just a few ingredients and simple steps, these treats come together quickly and easily.
Ingredients for Candied Strawberries
- Strawberries – You’ll want to use large, ripe, fresh, and juicy strawberries with bright red color and green leafy caps still attached.
- Sugar – Unlike some recipes that use corn syrup, this strawberry recipe uses plain white sugar and water to create the candy coating.
- Water – Use filtered or purified water.
- Ice cubes – You’ll want to have plenty on hand to plunge the hot, coated strawberries in.
Recommended Tools
- Small saucepan
- Wooden skewers
- Candy thermometer
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
How to Make Strawberry Tanghulu
Step One: Prepare the Strawberries
- Wash and dry your fresh strawberries, leaving the stems intact. Skewer 2-3 strawberries on each long bamboo skewer.
Step Two: Make the Sugar Coating
- In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook the sugar water over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 300° F on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage).
- Remove the sugar syrup from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Step Three: Dip the Berries
- Prepare a bowl filled with ice water and set aside.
- Dip each skewered strawberry into the hot sugar mixture, coating it thoroughly. Allow any excess syrup to drip off.
- Immediately dip the coated strawberries into the ice water bath to cool and harden. Remove and pat dry. Set them on parchment paper or a silpat mat and repeat with the others.
- Serve the strawberry tangulu skewers chilled and crispy as a delicious and fun treat.
How to Store Candy Strawberries
To store your candied strawberries, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to a day. You do not want to refrigerate them because this can cause the candy coating to become sticky and lose its crunch. For the best texture and flavor, it’s best to enjoy them on the same day they are made.
Variations and Add-ins
- Sprinkles – Immediately after dipping the strawberries in the candy coating, sprinkle them with colorful sprinkles. This is a great idea for different holidays.
- Crushed nuts – Roll the freshly dipped strawberries in finely crushed nuts like pistachios, almonds, or pecans for a nutty crunch.
- Coconut flakes – Sprinkle shredded coconut over the wet candy coating.
- Chocolate drizzle – Once the candy coating has hardened, drizzle melted dark or white chocolate over the top of the strawberries.
- Edible glitter – Add a touch of sparkle by sprinkling edible glitter on the candy coating before it hardens.
- Extracts – Add a few drops of flavor extracts, like vanilla, almond, or mint, to the sugar syrup for different flavors.
FAQs
You can still check to make sure you have the right temperature by doing a cold water test. Drop a small amount of the sugar syrup into a bowl of cold water. If it forms hard, brittle threads that snap easily, it’s at the hard crack stage. This is the best way to check it without having a thermometer.
Yes, you can use a variety of fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or grapes. Just be sure to choose firm, fresh fruit for the best results.
No, artificial sweeteners won’t work for creating the hard candy coating needed for this recipe.
Humidity can cause the candy coating to become sticky. Ensure you store the candied strawberries in a dry, airtight container.
Ensure all your utensils and the saucepan are clean and free from any impurities before starting. Stirring too much can also cause crystallization. Unfortunately, If it happens, you might need to start over with fresh ingredients.
Yes, you can add a few drops of gel food coloring to the sugar syrup for a more vibrant red color.
It’s best to use fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries contain more moisture, which can affect the candy coating’s ability to harden properly.
More Strawberry Recipes
- Strawberry Poke Cake
- Strawberry Pie
- Whipped Strawberry Milk
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Strawberry Lemon Lasagna
Strawberry tangulu (Candied Strawberries)
Equipment
- 4 wooden skewers
Ingredients
- 12 large fresh strawberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Wash and dry the strawberries, leaving the stems intact. Skewer 2-3 strawberries on each wooden skewer.12 large fresh strawberries
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 300°F on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage).1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare a bowl filled with ice water and set aside.ice cubes
- Dip each skewered strawberry into the hot sugar mixture, coating it thoroughly. Allow any excess sugar to drip off.
- Immediately dip the coated strawberries into the ice water bath to cool and harden the sugar coating. Remove and pat dry.
- Serve the strawberry tangulu skewers chilled and crispy, as a delicious and unique treat.
Leave a Reply