Finnish Salty Licorice (Salmiakki)

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Medium

A dark, chewy licorice candy with the sharp, salty bite of salmiak. This is our home version, set with gelatin and kept mild so you can adjust the salmiak to taste. Makes 48 pieces in about 3 hr 35 min.

Prep 20 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 3 hr

Total 3 hr 35 min

Yield 48 pieces

Diet Dairy free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

pieces

½ cup (120 ml)water
½ cup (100 g)granulated sugar
¼ cup (60 ml)molasses
1 ½ tbsp (15 g)licorice root powder
2 tbsp (20 g)unflavored gelatin powder
¼ oz (8 g)food-grade ammonium chloride (salmiak)
1 pinchground anise seed
2 ½ tbsp (20 g)cornstarch, for dusting

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Instructions

Line a small loaf pan (about 8 x 4 inches / 20 x 10 cm) with parchment and lightly dust it with cornstarch.
Sprinkle the gelatin over 60 ml of the water in a small bowl and let it soften for 5 minutes.
Combine the remaining 60 ml water, the sugar and the molasses in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then simmer 3 minutes.
Whisk in the licorice powder and anise until smooth, then take the pan off the heat.
Stir in the softened gelatin until melted, then stir in the ammonium chloride until it fully dissolves.
Spread into the pan and chill for 3 hours until firm.
Turn out, cut into small diamonds with an oiled knife and toss in cornstarch. Brush off the extra dust.
Let the pieces air-dry on a rack for 12 hours for a firmer chew.

Tips

Start with the 8 g salmiak: commercial candy runs roughly 5 to 7 percent ammonium chloride, so this lands milder; taste a small piece before adding more.
Buy only salt marked food-grade; never use fertilizer or lab-grade ammonium chloride.
Unlike a boiled licorice, this one is chewy and slightly soft; dry it longer for a firmer bite.
Salmiak is a strong acquired taste meant to be eaten in small amounts; people with high blood pressure, kidney or liver conditions, and young children should avoid it. Use food-grade ammonium chloride only.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make finnish salty licorice (salmiakki)?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 3 hours to chill. The recipe makes 48 pieces.

How should I store finnish salty licorice (salmiakki)?

Store in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

Can I make finnish salty licorice (salmiakki) ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Salty licorice, or salmiakki, is a Nordic favorite flavored with licorice root and ammonium chloride instead of ordinary salt. Serve it with black coffee.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 48 servings this recipe makes.

16 Calories / serving

0.0g Fat

3.7g Carbs

0.4g Protein

3.5g Sugar

Whole recipe (48 servings): ~768 cal · 0g fat · 178g carbs · 19g protein · 168g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.