Black Licorice Caramels for Halloween

Last week, my littlest and I made caramels for a Halloween treat.  At first, he wasn't so sure about the black licorice flavor, but as they set over night the flavor mellowed.  I love black licorice, it reminds me of my grandfather.  He always had a stash of black licorice in the top of one of the kitchen cupboards when I was little.  It is a very nostalgic flavor for me.

Black Licorice Caramels
Adapted from a cousin's family recipe
1 cup butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 cups corn syrup

2 cups sugar

1/4 t salt

1/8 ounce anise flavoring

1/2 t black food coloring paste

This takes about 30 minutes and you need to stir it the entire time.  Bring all ingredients through salt to a boil in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Keep at a rolling boil until 240˚F. Remove from heat and stir in food coloring and flavoring. Pour caramel into a well-buttered 9x13 inch pan. Let cool and set overnight. Cut into pieces and wrap in wax paper or cellophane squares.

 

Makes 100-150 pieces