Candied Hawthorn Berries
A nostalgic Chinese winter treat with tender hawthorn berries draped in a golden caramel glaze. These sweet-tart candies are absolutely addictive and make a charming snack or handmade gift.
Story
Known as 炒红果 in Chinese, these candied hawthorn berries are a beloved street food classic. The trick is cooking the berries just long enough to become tender while enveloping them in that glossy, amber-colored glaze. Keep a close eye on the sugar as it cooks—patience here yields that perfect shiny finish.
Ingredients
Fresh hawthorn berries
600g
Granulated sugar
300g
Water
100ml
Salt
a pinch
Instructions
1
Prepare the berries
Sort through the hawthorn berries and discard any that are bruised or damaged. Dissolve a pinch of salt in cold water to make a light brine. Soak the berries for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly under running water. Pat completely dry with a clean kitchen towel.
2
Remove the pits
Use a specialized hawthorn pitter or a thin-walled metal tube to push through from the stem end of each berry, removing the pit. Work carefully to keep the berries intact. If you don't have a pitter, make a small incision and manually remove the pits.
3
Make the sugar syrup
Combine the sugar and water in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves. Once boiling, stop stirring and let the syrup cook until it turns a light amber color—about 8 to 10 minutes.
4
Coat the berries
Add the prepared hawthorn berries to the amber syrup. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently toss the berries using a folding motion. Continue cooking and stirring for about 5 to 7 minutes until the berries become slightly translucent and the syrup thickens into a glaze that clings to the fruit.
5
Cool and serve
Transfer the candied berries to a parchment-lined plate, spreading them out in a single layer. Let them cool completely—the glaze will harden into a sweet shell around each berry. Serve at room temperature as a snack, or package in decorative boxes as thoughtful homemade gifts.
