Hard candied strawberries are similar to candy apples, having a cooked sugar syrup candy shell surrounding a piece of fresh fruit. The candy coating leaves the strawberry almost lollipop like with a shiny clear coating around it.
Candied strawberry recipes are also sometimes referred to as a strawberry tanghulu recipe. Tanguhulu is a candied fruit snack, typically using red hawthorn berries. Social media (specifically candied strawberries tiktok) got ahold of it of course and now most fruits are being dipped in a cooked sugar syrup.
If you enjoy making hard candy, I suggest trying out classic peanut brittle or smoked almond toffee.
Ingredients
With just a handful of ingredients, these candied strawberries come together very quickly. A candy coating paired with ripe, juicy, strawberries give this snack a sweet and slightly tart flavor. The fruit is nice and tender, but the outside shell adds delicious crunch. Biting into the hard candied strawberries is very satisfying.
- fresh strawberries
- white sugar
- corn syrup
- water
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make hard candied strawberries
Gather your ingredients
Prep strawberries. Make sure they are completely dry before dipping.
Cook syrup and dip strawberries, placing on parchment paper after dipping.
- Gather your ingredients
- Prep your strawberries. Make sure they are completely dry.
- Cook your syrup. Once this mixture comes to a boil, you do not need to stir.
- Dip your strawberries
- Cool and enjoy
Hint: let the cooked sugar syrup drip off the strawberry as much as possible before placing it on the parchment paper. Work quickly though, the cooler your syrup the thicker your candy shell will be.
Substitutions
- Other fruits - instead of strawberries, you can use other fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, or sliced apples.
- Honey instead of corn syrup - honey can be used but may burn if you aren't careful with your final temperature.
Variations
- Spices - Try adding cinnamon or chili powder at the end of cooking before dipping your strawberries.
Equipment
Storage
These should be enjoyed the same day they are made and it is not recommended to store them.
Top tip
Make these no more than 1-2 hours before serving. Fresh strawberries are effected by the heat in the sugar syrup. They will not be good the next day.
FAQ
How long does it take for candied strawberries to harden?
These should harden within 5 - 10 minutes. The candied strawberries have a thin candy shell. As soon as it cools it will be hard.
Why aren't my candied strawberries hardening?
If you candied strawberries are not hardening, there could be a number of reasons.
- You didn't cook your syrup to the correct temperature. You must hit 305F.
- The candy shell is too thick and taking longer to harden.
- You placed them in the fridge after dipping. Putting these in the refrigerator will cause the candy shell to pull moisture from the air in the fridge, leaving your coating sticky.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Hard candied strawberries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 200 grams white sugar 1 cup
- 150 grams corn syrup ½ cup
- 100 grams water ½ cup
- 24 fresh strawberries
Instructions
Prep strawberries
- Wash and dry strawberries. Make sure they are completely dry.
- Stick a wooden skewer in the middle of the strawberry hull. Do not pierce the other end. Skewer all the strawberries.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a thick bottomed pot.
- Turn heat to high.
- Stir until sugar has dissolved and begins to bubble. You can stop stirring.
- Cook until temperature reaches 305F. Turn off heat.
- Dip strawberries into sugar syrup, allowing excess syrup to drip off. Place on parchment paper. Work quickly so syrup doesn't cool.
- Serve immediately.
Sarah F
These were so, so delicious!!! I made them for an after school treat and my kids thought they were great. Easy to make!