| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 2 hours | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 670 | 38g | 24g | 77g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 60g | 1g | 1g | 2.7g |
My dear readers, let me take you on a sweet journey today with a unique recipe that I absolutely adore: Licorice Toffee with Black Sea Salt. It’s a delightful coming together of intriguing flavors, each one playing its part to create a masterpiece for the palate. Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, the majority of my culinary adventures were steeped in Southern tradition. But every now and then, I would voyage into the unexplored world of flavors from other cultures, and it was on one such expedition that I discovered this gem.
The Twist of Flavors
The Licorice Toffee with Black Sea Salt is a magical mishmash of flavors brought together in a delectable candy. This toffee packs the delightful sweetness of real butter and sugar, the tart edge of light corn syrup, and the exotic, slightly-spiced notes of black licorice. One taste, and the fond memories of my trips to the coastal area come rushing back where I would enjoy an assortment of seafood-spiced and salt-kissed dishes. There is something about sea salt, particularly the bold black sea salt used in this recipe, that reminds me of the sea and the surf, which I so love.
A Healthful Delight
Though this dish is indeed a delightful indulgence, it doesn’t mean it’s shorn of any health benefits. The use of mixed dried fruits not only adds a surprising chewiness and tang to the toffee, but it also provides a burst of antioxidants, dietary fiber, and beneficial nutrients. Moreover, the anise extract in the recipe is a potent source of iron, and promotes digestive health. So, while this beautiful Licorice Toffee with Black Sea Salt can be treated as a divine dessert, it’s also a sneaky way of getting some delicious nutrition.
The toffee’s robust flavor profile makes it a surprisingly versatile treat. It can be enjoyed on its own, or used to enhance the sweetness of other desserts. I particularly recommend pairing it with Fruit Cobblers or Creamy Rice Puddings, two traditional Southern dishes you might recognize from my array of cooking accomplishments. This addition will give these classic dishes a delightful twist, being both traditional yet novel.
And there you have it – a fusion of love, tradition, health, and all-round deliciousness, wrapped up in a piece of Licorice Toffee with Black Sea Salt. Indeed, it’s not just a recipe, but a culinary adventure. Get ready to be blown away by the intoxicating flavors of this delightful dessert!
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup of unsalted butter
- 2 cups of granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup of black licorice syrup
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon of natural licorice extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of anise extract
- 1/8 teaspoon of black food coloring (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
- 2 tablespoons of black sea salt
- 1 cup of mixed dried fruits for topping
Method
Step One
Start by lining and greasing a baking tray. Then in a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
Step Two
Add granulated sugar and stir continuously until the sugar is entirely dissolved in the melted butter.
Step Three
Now incorporate the light corn syrup, black licorice syrup, water, cream of tartar, and the natural licorice extract. Mix them all together and make sure to stir constantly to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
Step Four
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer. If you have a candy thermometer, it should read 290°F (143°C).
Step Five
Off the stove, add the vanilla extract, anise extract, black food coloring (if using), and baking soda to the mixture. Mix them quickly as the baking soda will cause it to foam up slightly.
Step Six
Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking tray. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly. Sprinkle the black sea salt while the toffee is still hot and sticky. Let it cool at room temperature for a good one hour.
Step Seven
Once cooled, break the toffee into desired pieces, top it up with your choice of dried fruits, and serve. Your delicious licorice toffee with black sea salt is ready to enjoy!
