Japanese candy strawberries are juicy berries coated with amazingly delicate and crisp candy coating. These are so tasty, unique, and they come together with just three ingredients plus water! A precise food thermometer is required to make these, so grab one and let's get started.
Japan is famous for its amazing quality of fruit. You can even buy incredibly expensive, designer fruit there. Each fruit is carefully and individually cared for by hand. But you know, the prices are worth it once you try them.. There is such a shocking difference in flavour and quality from what we are experienced to having here. Even in their regular marketplace fruits.
For example, my favourite fruit in the world is the Japanese white peach. It comes into season near the end of July and is a specialty of the Okayama region of Japan. The flavour and texture of the Japanese white peach is so different from the varieties that we have in North America that I hardly have them here now.
Now, while you won't be able to get actual Japanese ones (unless you happen to be reading this from there), for this recipe you should try to get very red and sweet berries. They should be small to medium in size and have a nice shape to them.
How to make Japanese Candy Strawberries
Let's start by washing the strawberries. In order for the candy coating to adhere well, it's very important that the strawberries are completely dry and at room temperature. Pat them dry and set them out until they are no longer cool to the touch.
When they are room temperature, pull off the leaves but leave the cores of the strawberries intact. The core will help to anchor the skewer in place. Take bamboo skewers and pierce one into each of the berries. Technically, you could do this with a toothpick, however, working with the liquid candy syrup will be quite hot so I recommend using a skewer.
Candy Syrup
Add the water, sugar, and lemon juice into a small saucepan. Give it a gentle stir to make sure that there is no sugar sticking to the bottom.
Turn the heat to medium and bring it to a boil, letting it continue to boil down for about twelve minutes while you keep an eye on it with your thermometer. We need the syrup to reach between 300°-310°. Any lower and the candy coating won't harden, any higher and it will become rock hard. After 260° the temperature will rise quite rapidly, so keep a very close eye on it. Don't be concerned if the syrup turns a light amber colour.
Dipping the berries
Once the ideal temperature is achieved, remove the saucepan from the heat. Holding onto a skewer, dip each strawberry into the syrup, rotating the skewer until the berry is thoroughly coated. I tilted the pan to make it easier.
Continue turning the skewer while lifting the strawberry out of the syrup, allowing all of the excess to drip off. You can even touch the berry to the side of the pan to help the excess run off. You want to achieve a thin and crispy candy coating as that is the most delicious.
Move quickly so that the syrup doesn't adhere thickly. If the syrup in the pan begins to thicken as you are working, return the saucepan to the heat for a few seconds to loosen it up again.
Set the berries down on something that they won't stick to, such as a baking sheet, parchment paper, or aluminum foil. Allow them about thirty minutes to cool and harden.
You should eat these treats soon after they have hardened. If you leave them for too long, the candy coating will begin to dissolve. Time to enjoy!
I used these:
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Japanese Candy Strawberries
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 12 strawberries 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
Juicy berries coated with amazingly delicate and crisp candy coating. Japanese candy strawberries are a unique and tasty treat.
Ingredients
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) water
1 ½ tsp lemon juice
12 strawberries (small-medium)
Instructions
Rinse strawberries, pat them dry, and set them out to bring them to room temperature. Berries must be dry and room temperature for candy coating to adhere. Once they are ready, pull off the leaves but leave the cores intact as they will anchor the skewers. Insert a bamboo skewer into each berry.
Add water, sugar, and lemon juice into a small saucepan. Stir to ensure that there is no sugar stuck to the bottom of the pan. Turn heat to medium and bring to a boil, letting it continue to boil down for about 12 minutes. Check candy syrup's temperature frequently with a precise food thermometer. It will heat quite rapidly after reaching 260°. Once the candy syrup has reached between 300°-310°, remove the saucepan from the heat. (Any lower and the candy coating won't harden, and higher and it will be too hard.)
You may wish to tilt the saucepan to make this step easier. Taking once strawberry at a time, dip it into the candy syrup with a turning motion, ensuring that it is thoroughly coated. Continue to rotate it while lifting it out of the syrup. Allow any access syrup to drip off. You can touch the berry to the side of the saucepan to help the excess to run off. Move swiftly while dipping so that the candy coating doesn't become too thick. A very thin and crispy coating is best.
Set the berries on something they won't stick to (baking sheet, parchment paper, aluminum foil, etc.). Allow them to cool and harden for about 30 minutes. Then they should be enjoyed as soon as possible for maximum quality - if left too long, the candy coating will begin to dissolve
Notes
If the syrup begins to thicken while you are still working on dipping the berries, return the saucepan to the heat for a few seconds to loosen it up again.
Keywords: Japanese candy strawberries
Wow a hit with my daughters. Easy enough for them to make with me monitoring the dipping process.
That's great! Sounds like a fun and tasty family activity 🙂 Thank you
Great idea. Fun treat for any age.
Thanks! Aren't they cute? Fun to spin in the syrup too.
Love these. Will make again.
Thank you Peggy 🙂
Fun treat. Thanks.
Thank you
Easy and delicious.
Thank you!
These are so much fun to make and so good.
Thank you 😀
Heavenly!!
Thanks! 🙂
Scrumptious!!!!
Thanks!
These are a big hit in my family.
That's great 😀
Cannot stop eating these. So good.
Thanks ❤️
Thanks for this fun treat. The kids think they are the best.
That's great, thank you 🙂
I've been making these ever since the strawberries were ready for picking. I am lucky I have an U-pick a short distance away. This recipe is like a gem to me. Will be making these for years to come.
That's so great to hear. Thank you!
Love these. Found your recipe today and had to try it.
Thanks!
Made these for my grandma's 74th birthday. She's not much into cake but loves strawberries.
She was delighted with them. Thought they were 'cute'.
That's so sweet. Thanks for sharing
Fabulous treat. Made for son's birthday party. Children loved them.
Thank you 🙂
I showed this recipe to my children awhile back. They kept asking when we could make them.
These are so good. Found some good strawberries and everyone was thrill with the outcome of these treats.
I'm so glad they turned out well for you. Super fun to make with kids. Thanks 🙂
The girls and I made these for a New Year's Eve treat. They are in love with them. Me too.
So easy to make.
That's a great idea. Thanks Gina 🙂
Had to go to three grocers before finding 'good' strawberries. Couldn't wait to try this recipe.
These coated strawberries are delightful. So excited to make them for my nieces when they visit next.
Thanks Evie, I'm glad that your hard work was rewarded!
My five year old told me that these candied strawberries were 'precious'. I thought you would like that.
Very cute, thanks for sharing 🙂
Such an easy treat to make. A hit with the kids for sure.
That's great to hear. Thanks for the review! 🙂
We made these candy strawberries for after dinner treat yesterday. We did wait until after the dinner as we wanted them to krackle. One word: Amazing
Thank you!
This idea is the best. Delightful treat.
Thank you, Japan has some wonderful treats
These are so good. I think I am hooked on them.
Thanks! Glad you like them ❤️
WOW. I am hooked on these candy strawberries. Made them two days in a row
That's so great to hear, thanks!
I'm wondering if you could make these a day ahead
Hello Susan. Unfortunately not. The thin, crispy candy coating will begin to soften and dissolve if left for any extended amount of time. They are best enjoyed as soon as the candy has set and hardened.
Just made these for the third time. My daughters get so excited that they jump up and down. We all agreed to renamed them 'Joy Makers'.
That's so sweet. Thank you 🙂
These candy strawberries are delightful. Will be enjoying these often.
Thanks! 🙂
The children were squealing with delight after the first bite.I enjoyed these also. Guess I know what they will be asking me to make often. Glad they are easy to do.
Thank you, that's so nice to hear 🙂
Just WOW. These I could get addicted to.
Thank you ❤️