Homemade Salty Black Licorice Food

HOMEMADE SALTY BLACK LICORICE

Steps:

• Line an 9 x by 5 x by 3-inch bread loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing parchment to line sides as well as the bottom.
• Cut out 36 parchment wrappers, about 3½ inches wide and 2 inches long.
• Sift the whole wheat flour into a small bowl and set aside.
• In a narrow, heavy saucepan bring the first 6 ingredients heavy cream through salt) to boil and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, for 20-25 minutes, until the mixture reaches 255°F. (Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature)
• When the licorice reaches 255°F, remove from heat, stir in whole wheat flour and anise extract. Continue stirring until smooth.
• Carefully pour licorice over parchment in pan.
• When the licorice is nearly cool, sprinkle with Maldon or other flaky salt.
• Cover and refrigerate until cooled completely. Then transfer, with parchment, onto a cutting board.
• With a lightly oiled, sharp knife cut licorice lengthwise into 6, ½-inch strips. Then cut crosswise into 6, 1 ½-inch strips.
• Place one strip of licorice on the edge of a parchment wrapper and roll up. Twist ends to seal. Repeat with remaining strips. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

BLACK LICORICE CARAMELS

Steps:

• In a large heavy pan melt butter on low-med heat; add sweet cond milk, Karo syrup, sugar and salt.
• Place a candy thermometer on side of pan, be careful to not touch bottom of pan.
• Stirring CONSTANTLY, cook on medium heat to 234 degrees.
• Remove from heat.
• Add Anise extract and black food coloring paste.
• Pour into a buttered 9x13" pan.
• Cool and cut into desired pieces.
• Wrap in wax paper.
• It will be gone before ya know it!
• * This caramel is soft and chewy. If you would like it more firm, cook until about 244 degrees. I find that using the brand Karo for the corn syrup works best, because some of the "off" brands contain water in the ingredients*.