Wait, wait, wait! Don't run away! I know--it's black licorice. Blackest black midnight black licorice.
You see, previously, I thought you had to have a certain arrangement of genes in order to like black licorice. The red licorice? Sure, it's a little more likeable. But the black jelly beans? Only a select portion of our population likes them. Black licorice twisty sticks? Even less people like them. But then, I had homemade black licorice. I was completely floored.
Here's the truth: I scaled back on the anise extract a touch. This made all the difference in the world. This is how I was converted to a black licorice lover. But fret not, if you hoard black jelly beans and savor black licorice sticks, just use an entire tablespoon of anise extract for your beloved licorice flavor.
This homemade candy binge has been so fun! I had to pick up a few specialty ingredients for this recipe. I grabbed anise extract and black food gel. You can use the leftover anise extract for biscotti.
Butter the pan very well (yum!)
Boil the granulated sugar, dark corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, molasses and a pinch of salt. Boil the mixture to a temperature between 235 and 240-degrees F.
Stir in the flour, black food gel, and anise extract. Work quickly!
You can cut the soft, chewy licorice into bite-size pieces like I did below, or slice into thin strips and twist.
I shared my recipe with detailed instructions over on Food 52 right here.
This is licorice for the people, I tell ya.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
I am a sworn black licorice hater, but you have convinced me to give it another try. If there's any version I could love, it's yours!
barbara says
I am always confused about 'red licorice' because it isnt really licorice, is it? I love the idea of making real licorice! I seem to remember these licorice 'caramels' from when I was a kid.
Cheryl says
I agree. Licorice is a flavor and it is the black candy the red is either cherry or strawberry flavor so it is NOT licorice.
Jack says
Don't know what to call this but it's NOT licorice! Just as salt is not pepper, anise is not licorice. This is junk!
Christina Lane says
Thanks for your junky comment.
vernon says
just wondering about recipe. can i sub glucose syrup for corn syrup.
also can i boil down licorice root, fennel and anise seeds or add sambuca for flavor. of course the alcohol is boiled off. what about coconut sugar or birch xylitol.. ok with wheat flour and blackstrap molasses. i live in phillipines and cant find black food gel. as well as birch beer soda. they wont ship from states. licorice lovers gotta like root beer, saparilla, birch&creme sodas
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
My father is a HUGE black licorice fan. He will be over the moon when I make this recipe for him. Thanks for sharing!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
OMG yes!! I love black licorice. And I love the Australian version..which is soft and how I imagine this homemade version. YUM
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
Like Erin, I also am a sworn licorice hater. I just can't do it!! But you definitely have me wondering about this whole homemade from-scratch business!!!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
this is a fun project...although im not much of a licorice person.
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen says
Totally not a licorice fan at all- I can barely even get down twizzlers! However, Boyfriend and his mom are HUGE licorice fans, so I can get behind this homemade version.
vernon says
twizzlers not licorice. panda is licorice. common in states
Rhonda says
I am a true black jelly bean lover! I believe you can hear me gasp when I hear that people have thrown them out, but that's just me. :-) so I can't wait to stir up a batch of this black licorice.
Deborah says
So I'm not even a black licorice fan, but I seriously want to make this. So fun!!
Julia says
I bow to thy black licorice-making skills! Like most, I was a black licorice Huh-Ate-Er when I was a chillun, but as soon as I grew up and tried the good stuff, I instantly began loving it. True story: I've been craving some good black licorice lately, so perchance your post will light a fire under my booty and I'll try this ish out in my own home. Love this, girly! And as always: super impressed by your talent!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
It has never occurred to me to make homemade licorice- I love that you took this on, and you executed it so beautifully!