Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Licorice Caramels


As you may have read Zoulah and Beaulah (resides at Purple Chocolat Home),  twin sisters, got together and cooked up a storm in the Red Couch kitchen yesterday.  One of the things they made were licorice caramels.  They have been making them for years.  If you love licorice, or anise, you will love these.  Some of the Red Couch family are huge fans; others not so much --- what is wrong with them?  Zoulah is a HUGE fan of these caramels.  Zoulah and Beaulah made one batch together. 


Licorice Caramel Recipes

1 can of sweetened condensed milk
2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anise oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon black coloring.

Place sweetened condensed milk, sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt in a heavy-bottomed sauce pan.  Cook and stir on medium until firm ball stage (245 -250) -- see Zoulah's notes.  Take off heat and add anise oil and black coloring.  Pour into prepared buttered glass baking dish (13 x 9-inch).  Let cool and then cut or break off into pieces and wrap in cellophane wrappers. 

Zoulah's Notes:  Zoulah always uses both a thermometer and  the cold water method.  Zoulah lives at an altitude of 5700; water boils at a little less than 200 at her home.  Zoulah cooked the caramels until about 237 yesterday -- she adjusted the firm ball temperature down about 12 degrees because of her high altitude and she tested with the cold water method.  In Utah, Zoulah doesn't know about other places, you can find Anise oil in most grocery stores.

Zoulah thanks you for dropping by Red Couch Recipes.



 

17 comments:

Sue said...

I printed it out and can't wait to try them!

adrienzgirl said...

My Daddy would love these. He's a black licorice super freak. I think I might add these to his list of goodies I make for his Christmas basket.

Unknown said...

what a great idea...i love black licorice! hmm..black caramel apples dipped in silver sparkling sugar perhaps? thank you for linking this fabulous recipe to TNSC---i love your halloween treats...they are keeping me inspired!

Pondside said...

The Great Dane is a licorice fanatic, so I think that this could be the Halloween treat for him. We used to be able to get the most wonderful dark chocolate covered licorice from Australia, but no one seems to be importing it anymore - perhaps this will be our new alternative.

Jacqueline said...

Beaulah and I have eaten all but one or two. I am such a hog. Those girls must have put something addictive into them, I just can't stop at one.

the country cook said...

Never heard of anise oil! I love licorice, though. :-)

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Joni, Will you be my best friend? I absolutely LOVE licorice caramels!!!!! Only the most wonderful person would post about them!!!I am so thrilled to have this recipe. I never even thought about making these delights myself! Oh goodie... literally! Thank you so very much for the recipe.
Now I have to find anise oil!
xo Yvonne

Red Couch Recipes said...

Zoulah wants to say that the brand that I use is LorAnn -- it comes in a very small glass bottle. In Utah, even in the sticks where the Red Couch family lives, you can find it in the grocery stores. Sometimes it is by the pharmacy --- why I don't know? It is also available online at Amazon and JoAnn Fabrics. You could also try a cake decorating supply place. Zoulah

The Charm of Home said...

I love black licorice. I bought anise this week and I thought it smelled like black licorice. I have never bought this spice before. Thanks for the recipe Joni!
Sherry

La said...

Great candy dish! La

Renée said...

Oh these are so yummy. I made some for my mission president and took them to our reunion last week and he was delighted. They are a terrific gift for all your black licorice lovers. Thanks Joni, your Halloween dishes are just delightful!

a quiet life said...

dang i NEED to make these!

Lori@Paisley Passions said...

SOOOO glad you shared this on Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions! I LOVE licorice caramels! Can't wait to try this recipe myself :)

Sawdust Girl said...

I love licorice and I love caramels. I have never tried mixing the two. I guess, since you gave it such a good review, I should give it a try. You never know, it might be a new favorite!

Creative Cupcake Recipes said...

Licorice and Caramel sounds like a great combination. This will be somethingnew for me. I am going to try this recipe. Thank you.

Amie {Kitty Cats and Airplanes} said...

Oooo my hubby would love these! Thanks for posting!

Amie @ http://www.kittycatsandairplanes.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

My sister in law makes these and they are DIVINE!!!! So perfect for Halloween.

Engageya