Here's a recipe for you:
Coal Candy
4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups corn syrup
1 cup water
2 teaspoons anise extract
1 teaspoon black food coloring paste
Line an 8-inch square METAL baking pan with foil, extending the edges over the sides of the pan. Lightly grease the foil with butter; set aside.
Measure sugar, corn syrup and water in large heavy pot.
Stir over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil, being careful not to splash sugar mixture on side of pan.
Carefully clip candy thermometer to side of pan (do not let bulb touch bottom of pan).
Cook about 15 minutes, without stirring, until thermometer registers 290.
Immediately remove from heat.
Stir in anise extract and food coloring.
Pour mixture into prepared pan. Cool completely.
To get big pieces of coal-looking candy, gently drop pan to break the candy.
Makes about 3 pounds..........