Festive Anise Hard Candy

Name: Festive Anise Hard Candy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: about 1 pound.
Ingredients: 2 cups sugar; 1 cup water; 1 cup light corn syrup; 2 to 3 teaspoons anise extract or 1 teaspoon anise oil; 8 to 10 drops red food coloring

Anyone who likes the flavor of anise is sure to enjoy these five-ingredient candies. The bright red color makes them perfect for the holiday season.

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cup light corn syrup
2 to 3 teaspoons anise extract or 1 teaspoon anise oil
8 to 10 drops red food coloring

Directions

In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Uncover; cook over medium 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

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.

Originally published as Anise Candy in Country Woman Christmas 2007