Saveur has a recipe for a from-scratch version of the familiar black twists, flavored with blackstrap molasses and anise extract. There's nothing complicated about the ingredients or the instructions; the only special equipment needed is a candy thermometer. The finished twists last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator and would make the perfect Valentine's Day gift for the dark moody complex black-licorice-loving person in your life.
Get the recipe: Homemade Black Licorice Twists at Saveur
Do you have any ideas for offbeat homemade treats for Valentine's Day?
(Image: Todd Coleman/Saveur)
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I don't understand: Where's the licorice in the licorice recipe? It's the main ingredient!!
That would be the anise extract...
Licorice is a black juice made from licorice wood. Anise can be added, but the distinctive flavour is missing.
How about the licorice root I buy at the health food store? Will that work?
yuck! =( haha.
maybe it's time I gave black licorice another try though?
Ahhh, there's nothing like Scandinavian licorice! This is nothing like it, but took me back---so salty and pungent, almost impossible to stomach, but the greatest hangover cure, or late-night-snack-with-friends. Now that's something I'd like to try making at home!
Here's one with licorice powder, with the appropriate health warnings:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5014673_make-licorice-candy.html
You mean this, don't you?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salty_liquorice
I'm not sure you can make it at home though, it looks rather chemical...
herzsprung - as an expat Brit living in the US, I can inform you that Americans think that black licorice uses anise/aniseed for the flavour. I love licorice, but I do not like aniseed, so I do not like American black licorice. This is a terrible state of affairs, as I can only get proper licorice when I go home, or pay extortionate prices at the local international importers.
Ah. Thanks for the information. Sorry to hear that! You could make the recipe and substitute with licorice powder.
I really despise anisey flavors but those look so beautiful!