Licorice Popcorn

Ingredients

• 16 cups popped popcorn*
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon anise extract
• 1 tablespoon black food coloring

Instructions

1. Place popcorn in large buttered baking pan.
2. Put the sugars, water and corn syrup into a heavy pan over medium heat and stir. After the mix comes to a boil, scrape sides of pan. Place a candy thermometer in the pan and cook, without further stirring, to 250 degrees F.
3. Remove pan from heat and stir in butter, baking soda, anise extract and food coloring. Pour over popcorn, mixing well.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5. When cooled, store in airtight containers.

Notes

* 2 tablespoons unpopped popcorn will produce 4 cups (or 1 ounce) of popped popcorn.