Black Licorice Caramels

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anise extract
black paste food coloring

DIRECTIONS
Line a 9x9 inch dish with buttered foil.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in sugar, milk, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue to heat, without stirring, to 242 to 248 degrees F (116 to 120 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm but pliable ball. Remove from heat and stir in anise and food coloring. Pour into prepared pan. Let cool completely, several hours.
To cut, turn out of pan and peel away foil. Cut with a buttered knife. Wrap pieces in waxed paper or candy wrappers. I wrapped my caramels in white polka dot cellophane.

Variation:

For cinnamon flavored caramels. Add 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon extract, instead of anise, and red food coloring instead of the black.