Anise Hard Candy

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. + cooling

Makes

about 8-1/2 dozen

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
I love to make anise recipes, and this flavorful candy is one of my favorites. Oftentimes I'll wrap up pieces in plastic wrap to share with friends. —Bea Aubry, Dubuque, Iowa

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons anise extract or 1 teaspoon anise oil
  • 6 to 9 drops red food coloring

Directions

  1. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Uncover; cook on medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage).
  2. Remove from the heat; stir in extract and food coloring (if using anise oil, keep face away from mixture as the aroma will be very strong). Pour into a buttered 13-in. x 9-in. pan. When cooled slightly but not hardened, cut into 1-in. squares. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Candy Thermometers
We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Nutrition Facts

2 piece: 49 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.