Licorice Caramels

Ingredients:

* 1 can ( 14 oz. ) sweetened condensed milk
* 2 cups granulated sugar
* 1 cup butter ( no substitutes)
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
* 1 tsp. anise (licorice) extract
* Black paste food coloring

Method:

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a heavy saucepan.

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture reaches 234 degrees on a candy thermometer. (This will take approximately 15 - 20 min.) Mixture will turn from a pale yellow color to a golden brown. 3. Stir in anise extract and enough black food coloring to make the caramel a dark black.

4. Pour mixture into a buttered 9" x 13" pan and let cool.

5. Cut into small squares and wrap each piece in waxed paper.

Yield: 75-100 pieces