LICORICE CARAMELS !

Licorice Caramels ! image

Provided by Colleen Sowa

Categories Candies

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

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5 Tbsp water
1/2 c corn syrup, light
2 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1 c butter
1 c cream (i use whipping cream but have used condensed milk as well)
black food coloring paste (optional) to desired color
1 Tbsp anise extract
1 Tbsp licorice extract or candy flavoring

Steps:

1. Lightly butter 9x13 inch pan. Set aside until needed.
2. In a large pot, put in the water, syrup, sugar and salt. Turn stove up to Medium - High heat. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Put lid on the pan and let boil for one minute.
3. Lower the heat to Medium, remove the lid. Stirring constantly, cook about 6 minutes or until it reaches 320 degrees on a candy thermometer.
4. Add the butter and cream. Stirring constantly. Cook about 4 more minutes or until the candy is about 242 degrees.
5. Add the black food coloring (optional) and the anise and licorice extracts/flavorings. Stir together well. Remove from heat. Let sit in pan a few minutes only.
6. Pour the candy into the buttered pan. Leave it sit to cool. When candy is cooled, Flip the pan over onto a cutting board. Using a heavy, sharp, large knife... cut the candy into desired size pieces of desired shapes. Then individually wrap each piece in plastic wrap or wax paper.
7. *** I sometimes cut the pieces into small squares or rectangles or triangles. Sometimes I cut them into any shape and size. Sometimes while the caramel is still warm, I roll it into logs or balls of desired size. How ever you do it... it is very good!