Tanghulu is just one of the most gorgeous looking desserts. Beautiful, glass-like sugar coats your favorite colorful fruits to create a stunning display. Today, we’re going to talk about how to make tanghulu in the microwave. While it may seem daunting, it’s pretty easy!
Making tanghulu in the microwave is faster, and once you get the hang of it, easier than the alternative stovetop method. You can add a sugar shell to all sorts of fruits, making it appropriate as a year round recipe.
While I’ve never seen the traditional haws around here, I do love to use grapes, oranges, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, star fruit, and whatever other fruits I have on hand for my tanghulu.
If you love all things sweet, make sure to check out some of our other best microwave dessert recipes for some more inspiration!
Ingredients List: What You Need
1 pound fresh fruit or berries of your choice
1 cup granulated white sugar
½ cup water
Special Equipment Notes: You will need bamboo or similar skewers to thread your fruit onto. You’ll also need wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone mat to set your fruit on while it hardens.
It’s also of note that you’re going to boil the sugar water mixture. It will be extremely hot, so make sure your dish can withstand it, and use an oven mitt or other heat resistant gloves for safety.
Ingredient Tips and Suggestions
Fruit. This recipe works with most any fruit. I’m using strawberries, blueberries, and grapes today. I also love oranges and star fruit, but pretty much any fruit will work. Make sure to wash and thoroughly dry your fruit ahead of time
Sugar. You can substitute brown sugar in your tanghulu if desired. It will have a slightly different taste but works the same
This tanghulu recipe scales up or down pretty easily; just follow a 2:1 sugar to water ratio to adjust for the amount of fruits you plan to make
How to Make Microwave Tanghulu
Thread fruit onto bamboo skewers
Add 1 cup sugar and ½ cup water to a microwave safe dish or cup
Stir with a spoon to mix thoroughly
Microwave the mixture on high for 3 minutes, then check it
Add additional cook time in 30 second increments as needed to prevent overcooking
Sugar mixture is ready when a spoon dipped into it and then into ice water hardens immediately (or a candy thermometer temps it at 300°F
Quickly dip your fruit skewers into the hot sugar, or use a spoon to gently pour it over the fruit while rotating the skewer
Place the coated skewers onto wax paper or a silicone mat on a baking sheet or similar to cool
Tanghulu should harden immediately and be cool enough to eat in about 2-3 minutes
How to Serve Tanghulu
Tanghulu is best enjoyed fresh from the skewer! However, you can also use your candy-shelled fruits to top:
Cakes
Cupcakes
Ice cream
Other baked goods
Recipe FAQs
How Long Does Tanghulu Last?
Generally, tanghulu lasts about a week in the refrigerator.
However, any moisture in the fruit that escapes can cause the candy shell to soften prematurely. So, it’s best consumed within a day or two for optimal texture.
Can You Make Tanghulu in the Microwave?
Yes, you can make tanghulu in the microwave.
The key is to cook in small increments of time and check it frequently to prevent over or underheating of your sugar syrup.
Why is My Tanghulu Not Hardening?
If your tanghulu isn’t hardening, it generally means it did not reach a sufficient temperature.
A candy thermometer should read 300°F. If you do not have a candy thermometer, coat a spoon in your liquid sugar and then immediately dip it into a bowl of ice water. If it hardens to a crunchy consistency immediately, it is ready.
Recipe Expert Tips
You can do one fruit per skewer or fill the whole thing – it’s entirely your choice! Break your skewers in half to make it easier to work with if you’re only putting one fruit on the end
It took me about 6 minutes in a 1000W microwave in total to get my sugar to the needed temperature. It cools quickly, so the more you check it the more time it will likely take (but it’s important not to overcook)
If your sugar mixture browns and starts to caramelize, you have overcooked it
The sugar hardens quickly – you’ll have about 2 minutes before it crystallizes so you’ll want to work fast
Microwave safe paper cups are highly recommended for this recipe, as they’re easy to dunk skewers into and make cleanup easy (just toss them!) but be sure to protect your hands from the heat
Do not let the sugar sit in your bowl if you’re not using a disposable one. It will harden and take a long time to dissolve afterwards
Tanghulu is such an easy yet impressive dessert you can make in your microwave! It’s so versatile with many fruits as well. Make some glass candied strawberries for Valentines, or ring in the New Year with oranges to inspire good luck!
It’s a sweet treat that kids and adults alike will love. Enjoy making it together for date night, or prep a bunch for entertaining. You’ll love this easy method!
Make delicious, sweet, and crunchy tanghulu with the help of your microwave. This easy recipe gives you fruits enveloped in a sugar shell that’s sure to impress.
Add 1 cup sugar and ½ cup water to a microwave safe dish or cup
1 cup Granulated white sugar, ½ cup Water
Stir to mix thoroughly
Microwave the mixture on high for 3 minutes, then check it
Add additional cook time in 30 second increments as needed to prevent overcooking
Sugar mixture is ready when a spoon dipped into it and then into ice water hardens immediately (or a candy thermometer reads 300°F)
Quickly dip your fruit skewers into the hot sugar, or use a spoon to gently pour it over the fruit while rotating the skewer
Place the coated skewers onto wax paper or a silicone mat on a baking sheet or similar to cool
Tanghulu should harden immediately and be cool enough to eat in about 2-3 minutes
Notes
This recipe works with most any fruit. I love strawberries and blueberries. However, oranges, grapes, and star fruit are other great choices. Make sure to wash and thoroughly dry your fruit ahead of time!
You can substitute brown sugar in your tanghulu if desired. It will have a slightly different taste but works the same
This tanghulu recipe scales up or down pretty easily; just follow a 2:1 sugar to water ratio to adjust for the amount of fruits you plan to make
You can do one fruit per skewer or fill the whole thing – it’s entirely your choice! Break your skewers in half to make it easier to work with if you’re only putting one fruit on the end
It took me about 6 minutes in a 1000W microwave in total to get my sugar to the needed temperature. It cools quickly, so the more you check it the more time it will likely take (but it’s important not to overcook)
If your sugar mixture browns and starts to caramelize, you have overcooked it
The sugar hardens quickly – you’ll have about 2 minutes before it crystallizes so you’ll want to work fast
Microwave safe paper cups are highly recommended for this recipe, as they’re easy to dunk skewers into and make cleanup easy (just toss them!) but be sure to protect your hands from the heat
Do not let the sugar sit in your bowl if you’re not using a disposable one. It will harden and take a long time to dissolve afterwards
Exact nutritional values will vary based on types of fruit and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
