Danish Salted Licorice Recipes

SALTED LICORICE

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl or pan with ice and water. Place a large, clean bowl in the ice bath and fit the bowl with a fine-mesh strainer.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed, nonreactive saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream, milk, licorice, and salt and cook, whisking occasionally, until much of the licorice has melted and the mixture is hot but not boiling, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well blended.
• Remove the cream mixture from the heat. Slowly pour about half of the hot cream mixture into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Transfer the yolk mixture back to the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture and return it to medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula and being sure to scrape the bottom of the saucepan so it doesn't scorch, until the liquid begins to steam and you can feel the spatula scrape against the bottom of the pan, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the custard from the heat and immediately pour it through the strainer into the clean bowl you set up in the ice bath. Let cool, stirring occasionally.
• When the custard has totally cooled, cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight. When you are ready to freeze the custard, transfer it to an ice cream maker and spin according to the manufacturer's instructions. Eat immediately, or transfer to an airtight container, cover, and freeze for up to 1 week.

HOMEMADE SALTY BLACK LICORICE

Steps:

• Line an 9 x by 5 x by 3-inch bread loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing parchment to line sides as well as the bottom.
• Cut out 36 parchment wrappers, about 3½ inches wide and 2 inches long.
• Sift the whole wheat flour into a small bowl and set aside.
• In a narrow, heavy saucepan bring the first 6 ingredients heavy cream through salt) to boil and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, for 20-25 minutes, until the mixture reaches 255°F. (Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature)
• When the licorice reaches 255°F, remove from heat, stir in whole wheat flour and anise extract. Continue stirring until smooth.
• Carefully pour licorice over parchment in pan.
• When the licorice is nearly cool, sprinkle with Maldon or other flaky salt.
• Cover and refrigerate until cooled completely. Then transfer, with parchment, onto a cutting board.
• With a lightly oiled, sharp knife cut licorice lengthwise into 6, ½-inch strips. Then cut crosswise into 6, 1 ½-inch strips.
• Place one strip of licorice on the edge of a parchment wrapper and roll up. Twist ends to seal. Repeat with remaining strips. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

DANISH SALTED-BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl; scrape in vanilla seeds and discard pod. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in 1 egg. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in 2 cups flour. Form dough into a 3/4"-thick disk. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, about 2 hours.
• Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 350°F. Let disk of dough sit at room temperature until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Roll out on a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper, shifting often on sheet and dusting with more flour as needed to keep from sticking, until about 3/8" thick.
• Punch out rounds with large cutter; punch out centers with smaller cutter. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1 1/2" apart. Pat scraps into a 3/4"-thick disk. Chill 15 minutes.
• Beat remaining egg in a small bowl with 1 tsp. water; brush cookies with egg wash; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Freeze 10 minutes. Bake, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until edges are golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Transfer to wire racks; let cool. Repeat with scraps and remaining egg wash and sanding sugar.
• Do Ahead
• Dough can be made 1 month ahead; freeze. Cookies can be baked 2 days ahead; store airtight at room temperature.

LICORICE-VODKA (BLENDER RECIPE)

Steps:

• Put licorice in blender container and blend on high until it is very fine.
• Add vodka and mix well.
• Fill in nice bottles and enjoy!