Licorice, just like many other types of candies can quickly become hard and inedible if it is left in the open air for a long time. Sometimes this can also happen when the candy is left too long in the wrapper after it has been produced. You can soften or melt licorice after it has become hard by applying heat evenly to the candy. Melting the candy can make it even harder after it cools. Other similar candies, including gummy bears and saltwater taffy, can also be softened after they become too hard using the methods described below.
Contents
The Microwave Method
The microwave method is one of the most effective methods to soften or melt licorice. In order to melt licorice in the microwave follow these steps;
What You Need
Your hard licorice
Plastic bags
Paper towels
Bowl of warm/hot water
Steps For Heating Up Licorice
- First put the hard licorice in the sealable plastic bag and squeeze out all of the air from the bag before you seal it up.
- Place the sealed plastic bag in a bowl of warm water and leave it in there for sometime. Your licorice will soften up after about 10 to 15 minutes and then you should take it out
- Fold a single square of paper towel around your licorice, one piece at a time.
- Place the licorice wrapped around a paper towel in the microwave and set in on high for a few seconds or until it softens.
- Make sure that you do not leave your licorice in the microwave for too long or put it in for too long. However, this will depend on how soft you want to your licorice to be.
- If the licorice is not soft or if has not melted enough put it back in the oven for a few more minutes.
- Take it out and serve as desired.
The Stovetop Method
Another effective method for melting licorice is using the stovetop method. This method is ideal if you want to completely melt licorice to make icecream or any other kind of dessert. Simply follow these steps;
What You Need
A saucepan
Your hard licorice
Non-metallic spatula
- Take out a small to medium sized pot or saucepan.
- Unwrap the licorice you need to melt.
- Preheat the saucepan before adding any licorice.
- Turn on the heat to a low or medium heat
- Put the licorice into your small to medium pan and make sure that you do not to add too many of them to prevent them from scorching.
- Let the licorice cook for a few minutes and stir with a non-metallic spatula.
- Keep stirring the licorice until it reaches the consistency that you want
- When the licorice has melted remove the pan from the stove after simmering it for a while
- Let it cool for a bit and serve as desired
The Double Boiler Method
Using a double boiler is one of the most effective ways to melt licorice. Simply follow these steps;
What You Need
A double boiler
Your licorice
Non metallic spatula
Steps For Melting
- Clean your double boiler
- Unwrap your licorice
- Add half or a full cup of water into the bottom pot of your double boiler
- Put your top boiler on top of the bottom pot and ensure that it does not touch the water in the bottom pot
- Begin by boiling the water on medium-high heat.
- Let it simmer on low heat
- Add your licorice in the top pan and leave it to melt
- When your licorice starts to melt, stir it with non-metallic spatula
- You can add some water or honey to the liquid, just make sure that you do not put too much
- Let your licorice cook for 10 or so minutes until it melts to the desired results
- Take the top pot off the below boiler pot when ready
- Let it cool and serve as desired.
If you cannot access a double boiler, you can just replace the top pot with a bowl and make use of a pot or other pan as the bottom pot. The steps for melting the licorice are just the same. Simply add water in the bottom pot and use the bowl as a top pot.
The Oven Method
Another effective way of melting your licorice is using the oven. Simply follow these steps;
What You Need
An oven tray
Your hard licorice
Non-metallic spatula
- Place your licorice inside a cookware
- Set your oven to about 200º F, and then place your licorice inside.
- Leave your licorice for 10 to 20 minutes and check to see if it has melted
- After checking and your licorice has not melted leave it in the oven for a few more minutes
- Make sure that you do not leave your licorice in the oven for more than 2 hours
- When the licorice has melted you can take it out as serve as desired
Tips For Melting Licorice
For best results make sure that you melt your licorice at a low heat. If you melt the licorice at a heat that is too high you risk burning it. Also ensure that you stir your licorice as you heat it with any of the methods mentioned. Stirring it will help with forming a smooth consistency. You can also add some water or honey to prevent the licorice from becoming too thick. Another important point has to do with storing your leftover licorice. When you store your licorice make sure that it is in an airtight container in a pantry or fridge. When you want to use the licorice again you can simply take it out reheat it.
Uses Of Melted Licorice
There are a number of ways you can use melted licorice either on deserts and meals. Some these include deserts such as icecream, black licorice and caramel, and meals such as quail, licorice and soy sauce as well as licorice cream brulee. There are a lot of recipes you can look up online that you can incorporate with melted licorice.
