How to Make Candied Strawberries (Foolproof Recipe) — Vicky Pham (2024)

Summer is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate strawberry season than with a batch of homemade candied strawberries? These delicious treats consist of fresh, plump strawberries coated in a thin, hard candy shell. The candy coating gives the strawberries a glossy, shiny finish and a satisfying crunch with every bite. It’s a fun and tasty way to enjoy strawberries.

What is Tanghulu

Candied strawberries or other candied fruit are also known as Tangulu in China. It is a popular candied fruit snack. They are typically sold by street food vendors on wooden skewers. No need to head to China. Simply make these at home.

Thermometer and Temperature

To make the candy syrup for these candied strawberries, it is crucial to heat the sugar and water mixture to the right temperature. The best way to ensure that you get the right temperature is by using a thermometer. I like to use an instant-read infrared thermometer so that I don’t need to place it in the syrup nor wait. It’s a fantastic tool.

You need the temperature of the sugar mixture to be within the hard crack range, which is between 300°F - 310°F. I aim for 305°F on my infrared thermometer. On a candy thermometer, you will see the range labeled as hard crack. Once you hit that temperature, the syrup is now ready for coating.

It’s best to get your fruit ready beforehand so that you can coat it in the syrup quickly once it hits the right temperature. If you take too long, the sugar may darken and result in a bitter taste.

Once you coat the strawberry, transfer it to parchment paper or a silicone mat to keep it from sticking. The syrup will harden within a few minutes if done properly.

Do You Really Need a Thermometer?

To ensure that your candied strawberries come out perfect every time, using a thermometer is needed. Candy making is already tricky and having a thermometer increases your chances of success.

However, if you find yourself without a thermometer, don't worry. You can still make candied strawberries. A simple trick to test if the candy syrup has reached the hard crack stage is to use the cold water test.

First, allow the sugar and water to boil for about 10 minutes until it reduces to a thick syrup. Then do the test. Dip a spoon into cold ice water and then dip the spoon into the syrup. If the syrup hardens immediately, you have reached the correct temperature. While this method is not as accurate as using a thermometer, it can still be a useful tool in a pinch.

Do You Really Need Corn Syrup?

Do you really need corn syrup to make the candy coating? The answer is no. You don't necessarily need corn syrup to make the coating. However, adding corn syrup to the recipe is what makes the recipe foolproof.

I've experimented with making the coating multiple times without corn syrup and found that it doesn’t always work. Sometimes, I would end up with crystallization in my sugar that clumps up into a big ball of mess. I would have to discard the entire batch and start over from scratch.

You can prevent crystallization by adding a different type of sugar which is corn syrup. Corn syrup helps to stabilize the sugar mixture and reduce the chances of crystallization occurring.

If you don’t have corn syrup on hand or do not want to use corn syrup, go ahead and try it without first.

When to Enjoy Candied Strawberries

It’s best to enjoy these candied strawberries right away or within 4 hours. Otherwise, they will leak and soften. This is to be expected. When hot syrup touches fresh delicate fruit such as strawberries, they will soften over time. The leaked juice from the softened strawberry will slowly melt the hard candy shell. So make them and enjoy them as soon as possible.

Other Fruits to Candy

Don't stop at strawberries. Try this recipe with other fruits like orange wedges, tomatoes, grapes, blueberries, pineapple or any other fruit of your choice. It’s especially great with tart fruits. The sweetness of the candy coating helps balance out the tartness, resulting in a deliciously well-rounded flavor.

Other Ways to Enjoy Candied Fruit

In addition to eating candied strawberries or other candied fruit, they make gorgeous decorations and toppers for cakes, cupcakes, or any dessert that needs a touch of fruity goodness.

How to Clean the Pot

If you're struggling to remove hardened sugar from your pot after making candied strawberries, there's a simple solution: soaking. Simply fill the pot with hot water and let it sit until the sugar melts away. The hotter the water, the quicker the sugar will dissolve. If you are not in a rush, use room-temperature water and let it sit overnight.