CANDY COAL

Candy Coal image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes 1 7/8 pounds

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon black gel-paste food coloring
5 teaspoons pure peppermint, cinnamon, or anise extract
1 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with a piece of aluminum foil large enough to overhang the sides by about 2 inches. Set aside.
Bring sugar, 3/4 cup water, and corn syrup to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Stir to dissolve sugar, and wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystals from forming. Once mixture comes to a boil and all the sugar has dissolved, clip a candy thermometer to pan, and raise heat to high. Continue cooking without stirring until mixture registers 300 degrees. Remove from heat.
Carefully add food coloring, extract, and baking soda; stir slowly with a clean wooden spoon until thoroughly combined and mixture no longer bubbles, about 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan, and let cool completely. Lift foil to remove candy from pan, and transfer candy to a large plastic bag. Crush with a kitchen mallet into chunks.