Introduction: Traditional Chinese Sugar Art (Tangren)!

By ReArtStudio
About: Hi! I'm Christopher, and I make all kinds of cool stuff. I mostly focus on upcycling materials (see Cardboard Box Furniture), making complex projects more accessible (see Cloisonne Tea Tray), and making cultur…

In this Instructable, I will teach you how to make traditional Chinese sugar art, known as Tangren (糖人). These sweet snacks are both beautiful and delicious!

Supplies

  • Rock candy/ crystallized candy
  • Candy sticks (the kind used in lollipops, not the type made out of candy)
  • Knife/ Cake server

Step 1: Think of Designs

Plan out designs for what to make. Keep in mind that all the sugar lines must be connected to each other or the stick.

You could try making simple shapes, like a circle or a triangle. You could also make more complex designs like a fish or a butterfly.

Step 2: Protect the Sugar

Put the sugar into a sturdy cloth bag.

Step 3: Crush the Sugar

Use a large rock to crush the sugar. Make sure to use short, powerful blows so that more of the force is directed toward the sugar and not the bag.

Step 4: Melt the Sugar

Put the sugar chunks in a pot on the stove. Set the stove to LOW or SIM.

Step 5: Stir the Sugar

While the sugar melts, stir it to ensure that every part gets enough heat. The images show the gradual progression from a pale yellow to a brownish color. The actual color is more yellow, it only looks brown because it is slightly transparent.

Step 6: Pour the Sugar

Use a spoon or ladle to scoop up some of the sugar. Drip it on the pan to create lines. More sugar is usually better, but if the lines are too thick, it can be hard to eat.

It's best if you keep the sugar heated for this part, because otherwise, it might harden too fast.

WARNING: Do not add too much water to the sugar. If you add too much, the sugar will NOT harden, and will just stick to the baking tray.

Step 7: Add the Stick

Don't forget to add the stick so that you can hold the sugar art! Place the stick in the middle and add some sugar over it.

Step 8: Peel Off the Sugar

Wait for the sugar to harden. Use the knife or cake server to gently peel the sugar off the baking tray.

Step 9: Repeat With Different Patterns

If you have more sugar, you can make more sugar art! Experiment with different patterns.

Step 10: Alternative for Better Patterns

You may also consider placing a paper with a design below a glass tray so that your patterns are more accurate. However, if the tray is not completely flat, it will be harder to remove.

Step 11: Save the Leftovers

If there is any sugar left in the pot, you can save it for next time!

Step 12: Admire and Eat!

It's best to eat this snack immediately. This snack is prone to breaking, as well as sticking to other things.

If you want to preserve this, you need to wrap it with butcher paper on both sides and add enough padding.