Sweet and Crispy Candied Fruit Skewers

Candied fruit skewers are a delightful treat that combines the natural sweetness of fresh fruit with a crunchy, caramelized coating. This simple recipe allows you to create a visually stunning and delicious dessert using your favorite fruits. Whether you’re preparing them for a party, a special occasion, or a fun snack, these sweet treats are sure to impress with their glossy, golden sugar coating and irresistible crunch. The process is easy and quick, and the results are always a hit!

If you love the combination of fresh fruit and candy, these candied fruit skewers will become one of your go-to recipes. By dipping your fruit in a homemade syrup made from sugar and water, you’ll create a crunchy candy coating that enhances the natural flavors of the fruit. The caramelized sugar gives each piece a satisfying crunch, and the cool, crisp fruit inside provides a refreshing balance. This dessert is as fun to make as it is to eat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Easy to Make

This recipe is straightforward with minimal steps. You’ll have a delicious treat ready in under an hour!

2. Customizable with Any Fruit

You can choose any fruit you like – strawberries, grapes, apples, or even pineapple. Each fruit adds its unique flavor to the candy coating.

3. Impressive Presentation

The shiny, amber-colored sugar coating looks impressive, making these skewers perfect for serving at parties or as a gift.

4. Perfectly Crunchy

The sugar syrup hardens quickly, creating a crispy coating that adds a satisfying crunch to each bite.

5. Fun Activity

Making these candied fruit skewers is a fun and interactive process, especially for kids or as a group activity.

Ingredients

• 1 lb strawberries, grapes, or other fruit of choice (~30 pieces)
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup water

Variations

1. Different Fruits: Use a variety of fruits such as pineapple chunks, kiwi, or apple slices for a fun mix.
2. Flavor Infusion: Add a few drops of vanilla extract or lemon juice to the syrup for extra flavor.
3. Sprinkles: After dipping the fruit in the syrup, you can roll it in colored sprinkles or shredded coconut for a fun, festive touch.
4. Chocolate Drizzle: After the candy coating hardens, drizzle the skewers with melted chocolate for an extra layer of flavor.
5. Spicy Twist: Sprinkle a tiny bit of chili powder or cinnamon on the syrup to give the candied fruit a spicy edge.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit

Wash the fruit thoroughly and pat it dry with a paper towel. Remove any stems, leaves, or inedible parts. Thread the fruit onto wooden skewers, aiming for about 3 pieces per skewer for easy handling.

Step 2: Make the Syrup

In a small pot, combine the sugar and water. Set the heat to low to medium. Do not stir the mixture. Allow it to come to a boil, then simmer for 10-20 minutes, or until the syrup turns a golden amber color and thickens to a consistency like syrup. The temperature should reach approximately 300°F.

Step 3: Test the Syrup

To test if the syrup is ready, take a spoonful and drop it into an ice water bath. If the syrup hardens immediately and cracks when bent, it’s ready for use.

Step 4: Coat the Fruit

Dip the fruit skewers quickly into the syrup, swirling them to evenly coat the fruit with a thin layer of sugar. Immediately after dipping, place the skewer into the ice water bath to cool and harden the sugar coating.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Place the coated skewers onto a plate and let them cool completely. Repeat with the remaining fruit skewers, making sure to work quickly so the sugar doesn’t burn. Once all the skewers are coated and hardened, enjoy your delicious candied fruit!

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Work Quickly: The syrup hardens fast, so it’s important to work quickly to coat the fruit before the syrup starts to cool and become difficult to handle.
• Use an Ice Water Bath: The ice water bath helps the syrup cool down instantly, creating that perfect crunchy texture.
• Test Consistency: If you’re unsure whether the syrup has reached the right temperature, use a candy thermometer to check that it reaches 300°F.
• Use a Pot with a Heavy Bottom: This ensures the syrup heats evenly and doesn’t burn.
• Avoid Stirring: Stirring the syrup can cause it to crystallize, so let it bubble and simmer without touching it.

How to Serve

These candied fruit skewers are perfect on their own as a sweet snack or dessert. You can also serve them at parties, barbecues, or special events as a fun treat that everyone will love. For an added touch, serve with a bowl of melted chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover candied fruit in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The sugar coating can become a little sticky over time, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.

Freezing

Although it’s best to eat these candied fruit skewers fresh, you can freeze them by placing the skewers on a baking sheet in a single layer until frozen solid, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container. To reheat, let them thaw at room temperature for a few minutes.

Reheating

To re-crisp the candy coating, you can place the skewers under a low broiler for 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to burn the sugar.

FAQs

1. Can I use other fruits besides strawberries and grapes?

Yes, you can use almost any fruit that is firm enough to be skewered, such as apples, pears, or pineapple.

2. How do I know when the syrup is ready?

The syrup should be amber-colored and have reached a temperature of about 300°F, which you can test with a candy thermometer.

3. Can I make the syrup ahead of time?

The syrup is best used fresh, as it hardens quickly. However, if you need to make it in advance, you can reheat it gently before use.

4. What if I don’t have a candy thermometer?

You can test the syrup by dropping a spoonful into an ice water bath. If it hardens quickly and cracks when bent, it’s ready.

5. How long does the candy coating stay crispy?

The sugar coating will stay crispy for up to 2 days if stored properly in an airtight container.

6. Can I add flavor to the syrup?

Yes! You can infuse the syrup with vanilla, cinnamon, or other flavors by adding a few drops of extract during the boiling process.

7. Why is the sugar hard to coat evenly on the fruit?

Make sure the syrup is at the correct temperature (300°F) before dipping the fruit. If it’s too cool, the coating will not set properly.

8. Can I use flavored syrup instead of regular sugar syrup?

You can experiment with flavored syrups, but traditional sugar syrup creates the perfect crispy coating for fruit.

9. Can I dip the fruit in chocolate after the syrup hardens?

Yes! Drizzling melted chocolate over the candied fruit skewers will add a delicious chocolatey layer.

10. Can I use a different type of sugar for the syrup?

While white sugar works best, you can experiment with brown sugar or coconut sugar for a different flavor.

Conclusion

Candied fruit skewers are a fun and sweet treat that anyone can enjoy. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can create a stunning and delicious dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Customize it with your favorite fruits, and enjoy the satisfying crunch of the caramelized sugar coating.

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