My husband thinks I'm a nut but I love the flavor of black licorice/anise candy. I have found over the years that a lot of the general population does not care for black licorice - my husband and two of my three children included. I, however, love it - as long as it's the anise flavored black licorice and not the more harsh flavor. It's hard to describe but there are two versions and I prefer the anise one. For that reason when I make these caramel-type candies I use anise flavoring. These are fun to make around Halloween because with the black paste food coloring you have a fun treat to offer in a candy dish in the traditional black and orange color scheme.
Licorice Candy
2 sticks butter
1(14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 c light corn syrup
1/4 t salt
2 c sugar
3/4 t black paste food color (or any color)
3/4 t anise or licorice oil flavoring
Use some of the butter to coat the sides of a heavy pan. Add milk, sugar, syrup, salt and remaining butter. Over medium high heat, cook, stirring constantly, to 234 degrees. Remove from heat, add oil flavoring & food coloring; stir to blend. Pour into a greased 9x9 inch pan. Cool completely. Cut into pieces, wrap individually in wax paper.
