salted licorice brigaderios

prep time:  tbd
cook time:  tbd
servings:3 dozen

ingredients:
1 7-ounce box soft black licorice
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate - coarsely chopped
chocolate sprinkles
coarse sea salt

steps:
1.  in a food processor, grind licorice until finely chopped, about 30 seconds.  transfer to a heavy-bottomed saucepan and add 1/4 cup water.  cook gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until licorice is shiny and almost melted, 5 - 7 minutes.

2.  add condensed milk and bring to a simmer, stirring.  scrape mixture back into food processor and add chocolate.  process until as smooth as possible, about 1 - 2 minutes.  scrape mixture into a bowl and chill until very cold, at least 3 hours.

3.  pour sprinkles into a bowl.  roll teaspoons of licorice mixture into balls and drop them into the sprinkles, turning to coat.  place balls into paper candy cups and sprinkle tops with salt.

- new your times, october 2012