Licorice drops are the most popular sweet in the Netherlands, with the highest per capita consumption of any country in the world. A variety of flavors are sold including sweet, salty, hard, and soft candies in many shapes and sizes. Black licorice is made from the root of glycyrrhiza glabra, from which the aromatic sweet can be extracted. Unlike traditional Dutch licorice drops, this Americanized candy recipe includes corn syrup and the candy is given its dark tint through food coloring.
Recipe Servings: 12
Prep Time
10 minutes
+ 30 minutes resting
+ 30 minutes resting
Cook Time
45 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 25 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup light-colored corn syrup
- ¼ tsp anise extract
- ¼ tsp red food coloring, (or a very small amount of black paste food coloring)
Directions
- Prepare a baking sheet, lining with aluminum foil and then buttering. Set aside.
- Prepare a large, heavy saucepan, buttering the interior. In the saucepan, combine the sugar, brown sugar, water, and corn syrup.
- Cook over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes, until boiling, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to dissolve.
- Reduce heat to medium. Bring to a temperature of 290°F on a candy thermometer, or soft-crack stage, cooking for about 30–35 additional minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Rapidly add the anise extract and the red or black food coloring, stirring to combine.
- Working by teaspoonfuls, drop the candy mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in the shape of round patties.
- Let the drops stand for about 30 minutes, until firm.
- If desired, wrap each drop in plastic wrap or waxed paper.
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