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    Home » brittles & toffee

    Hard candied strawberries

    Published: Jan 23, 2023 · Modified: Feb 6, 2023 by Hannah · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    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.

    hard candied strawberries

    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.

    @onesweeetmama

    Fresh strawberries with a hard candy shell around them. Crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. https://onesweetmama.com/hard-candied-strawberries/ #strawberry #hardcandy #candymaking #valentinesdaytreats #bakebakebake #sweets

    ♬ original sound - onesweeetmama

    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

    ingredients for candied strawberries

    Gather your ingredients

    strawberries prepped for dipping into cooked syrup

    Prep strawberries. Make sure they are completely dry before dipping.

    dipped candied strawberry

    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

    • thick bottomed, heavy duty pot or saucepan
    • candy thermometer
    • wooden skewers
    • parchment paper

    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.
    1. You didn't cook your syrup to the correct temperature. You must hit 305F.
    2. The candy shell is too thick and taking longer to harden.
    3. 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:

    • candied grapes on a plate
      Candied Grapes - What are they and how to make them.
    • Best equipment for candy making at home
    • jolly rancher cotton candy
      How to make Werthers Cotton Candy
    • smoked almond toffee
      Smoked almond toffee (highly addictive)
    candied strawberries

    Hard candied strawberries

    Fresh strawberries with a hard candy shell around them. Crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Resting time 10 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 strawberries

    Equipment

    • thick bottomed heavy duty pot
    • candy thermometer
    • parchment paper
    • 9 x 13 baking sheet
    • wooden skewers

    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.

    Video

    https://onesweetmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/hard-candy-strawberries.mp4
    Keyword candied strawberries, candied strawberry recipe, strawberry hard candy
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Brittles, toffee, and hard candy recipes.

    • brownie almond toffee
      Crispy brownie almond toffee "Christmas Crack"
    • chocolate covered classic peanut brittle
      Chocolate covered classic peanut brittle
    • glazed pretzels
      Salty sweet glazed pretzels
    • peanut butter peanut brittle
      Peanut Butter Peanut Brittle

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah F

      February 08, 2023 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      These were so, so delicious!!! I made them for an after school treat and my kids thought they were great. Easy to make!

      Reply
    2. Wendy

      January 07, 2024 at 4:25 am

      How long do they last? I want to make them ahead for a party.

      Reply
      • Hannah

        January 10, 2024 at 1:01 pm

        These should be made and consumed the day of - a few hours ahead at most.

        Reply
    3. Karen

      February 10, 2024 at 10:53 pm

      It was good. Easy to prepare.

      Reply
      • Hannah

        February 11, 2024 at 5:33 pm

        Thank you, Karen! Glad you enjoyed them.

        Reply

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    Recipe Rating




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    Hi, I'm Hannah! Candy obsessed and making everyone else that way too. I've spent over a decade in the candy industry, inventing sweets and snacks for the grocery store shelves. Now I'm showing you exactly how to make those top rated candies right out of your home kitchen. I want others to realize you can make real candy at home, really easily!

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