Fig Tanghulu: Sweet & Crunchy Delight
Homemade Fig Tanghulu Recipe
These fresh figs were a bit lacking in sweetness, so I decided to turn them into a delightful tanghulu! If you find your figs aren’t as sweet as you’d like, a coating of caramelized sugar transforms them into a wonderfully crispy and sweet treat. This recipe will guide you through making a perfect fig tanghulu, with a crunchy exterior and a juicy, tender inside.
Main Ingredients
- 3 ripe figs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup water
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligodang)
Equipment
- 2 paper towels
- 1 sheet parchment paper
- 2 paper towels
- 1 sheet parchment paper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently wash the figs under cool running water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. It’s best to leave the stems on, as they’ll make it easier to hold the figs while coating them with syrup. Now, let’s prepare the ingredients for the tanghulu syrup: measure out 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2/3 cup of water, and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup.
Step 2
Measure 1 cup of granulated sugar.
Step 3
Measure 2/3 cup of water.
Step 4
Add 2 tablespoons of corn syrup for extra gloss and to prevent crystallization. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and stir gently until the sugar is completely dissolved. **Crucially, do NOT stir the syrup once the sugar has dissolved!** Stirring can cause sugar crystals to form, preventing the syrup from hardening properly.
Step 5
Once the sugar is completely dissolved and you have a clear syrup,
Step 6
Here’s a simple test to check if your syrup is ready: scoop a little syrup with a spoon and drop it into a bowl of ice-cold water. If it hardens immediately into a brittle thread, your syrup is perfect for tanghulu.
Step 7
As soon as the syrup reaches the right consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat. Hold a fig by its stem and use a ladle to carefully coat the fruit with the hot syrup. Applying 2-3 coats will give you a nice, even layer of crunchy candy.
Step 8
Place the syrup-coated figs onto the prepared parchment paper.
Step 9
Repeat this process for all 3 figs. Once all are coated and placed on the parchment paper, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to allow the candy coating to harden completely.
Step 10
Don’t worry if a little bit of the fig flesh oozes out during the coating process. As long as you let them set for about 30 minutes at room temperature, they will harden beautifully. Tanghulu is best enjoyed immediately after the coating has hardened for maximum crispiness!
Step 11
To easily clean pots and ladles with hardened sugar syrup, soak them in boiling water for a short while. This will help dissolve the hardened sugar, making cleanup a breeze!
