Taiwanese sweet peanut soup or wedang kacang is a sweet, creamy, and comforting dessert made with three ingredients. It’s so easy, and you can make this on a stove, slow cooker, or Instant Pot. This sweet peanut soup makes a good dessert for a big group or special celebration.
I grew up eating lots of sweet peanut soup or tong sui (literally translated as sugar water) for dessert or supper. And this sweet peanut soup is one of them. It’s easy to make and only requires three main ingredients – water, peanut, and sugar.
The ingredients
Making Taiwanese sweet peanut soup or wedang kacang in Indonesia is so simple, and you need ingredients that can are available in Asian markets. Those ingredients are:
- Peanuts. You will need shelled and skinless peanuts
- Sugar. Rock sugar is usually what is used in this tong sui; however, granulated sugar also works
- Water
- Salt, optional, to balance the sweetness of tong sui
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Wedang kacang often uses pandan leaves to add fragrant flavor to this peanut soup.
How to cook sweet peanut soup (wedang kacang)
There are three ways to cook this peanut soup: stovetop, slow cooker, and instant pot.
Stovetop
Rinse the peanuts in several changes of water and drain off the water. Soak the peanuts in water for 6-8 hours. Then, add peanuts and water to a large pot, bring to a boil, and lower the heat to simmer. Cover the lid and cook for about 1 hour or until the peanuts can be easily mashed between two fingers but not mushy.
Add sugar and salt and cook until sugar dissolves.
Slow cooker
Rinse the peanuts in several changes of water and drain off the water. Soak the peanuts in water for 6-8 hours. Add peanuts and water to a slow cooker and cook for 8 hours at low heat. Then add sugar and salt, and adjust the taste.
Instant Pot
Rinse the peanuts in several changes of water and drain off the water. You DO NOT need to soak the peanuts in advance. Transfer the peanuts and water into the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. Do a natural release. Turn on saute and add sugar and salt; then cook until sugar melts.
What to serve with sweet peanut soup (wedang kacang)
Some people like adding coconut milk to peanut soup. And some want to enjoy this peanut soup with Chinese donuts for a late-night snack.
This sweet peanut soup warms up my body and soul. If you love sweet peanut soup as I do, you need to make it at home. And if you’re a fan of sweet warming soup (tong sui), you will enjoy black rice sweet porridge.
Taiwanese Sweet Peanut Soup (Tong Sui)
Ingredients
- 300 grams peanuts shelled and skin removed
- 8 cups water
- 5 tablespoons rock sugar to taste
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Rinse the peanuts in several changes of water and drain off the water
Stovetop
- Soak the peanut in water for at least 6 hours or overnight
- Add peanuts and water to a large pot, bring to a boil, and lower the heat to simmer. Cover the lid and cook for about 1 hour or until the peanuts can be easily mashed between two fingers but not mushy.
- Add sugar and salt and cook until sugar dissolves.
Slow Cooker
- Soak the peanut in water for at least 6 hours or overnight
- Add peanuts and water to a slow cooker and cook for 8 hours at low heat. Then add sugar and salt, and adjust the taste.
Instant Pot
- Transfer the peanuts and water into the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. Do a natural release. Turn on saute and add sugar and salt; then cook until sugar melts.
Linda says
I saw this featured on a food documentary and was so curious about it. It sounds like a nice sweet treat and really appreciate the IP directions! Are those Chinese donuts peeking out in the photos above?!
Jere Cassidy says
This is interesting as you don’t think of a soup as dessert. This really is such an easy recipe.
Tyanne says
A very unique soup! I am glad I made this.
Amanda Dixon says
I can’t believe this soup only needed three ingredients! It was so flavorful and perfectly creamy.
Amy says
I had a whole bag of peanuts I had no idea what to do and I’m glad I found your recipe! So nice to try something a little different and you’re right, it was super simple! Love being able to just let the Instant Pot do it’s thing. Sent some over to my parents and they really enjoyed it too.