Hard candied strawberries (2024)

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

• 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.

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.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

More Brittles, toffee, and hard candy recipes.