Anise Hard Candy

Name: Anise Hard Candy
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: about 8-1/2 dozen.
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

I like to wrap pieces of this candy 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

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).
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.

Editor's Note: The accuracy of your candy thermometer is very important.

Editor's Note

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.