Sweet and Salty Obsession of Þristur in baking and desserts

Exploring Iceland's Love for Licorice in Baking and Desserts

Did you know that Icelanders have a bit of an obsession with licorice? Yes, it's true! We just can't get enough of that sweet and salty flavor. Whether it's sprinkled on ice cream or baked into cakes, licorice is an ingredient in many of our favorite treats. And don't even get us started on chocolate-covered licorice - it's like a match made in heaven!

You might be wondering why Icelander's love licorice so much. Well, the truth is, we're not really sure. Maybe it's because we're a little bit quirky and like to try new things. Or maybe it's just because licorice is so darn delicious!

One thing we do know is that for many years, Icelanders couldn't get their hands on foreign sweets due to pesky import restrictions. So we had to get creative with our sweet treats and rely on locally-made products - like licorice!

Why use Sambó Pristur in deserts and baking?

In Iceland, lakkrís or licorice, is often used in baking and cooking. It can be added to desserts like cakes, pastries, and ice cream, or used to flavor savory dishes like Icelandic lamb or fish.
Þristur, meaning Three in Icelandic, relates to the 3 component in the product; soft caramel cream toffee with pieces of soft sweet Icelandic black liquorice covered by its third part, delicious milk chocolate. This thristur candy is Iceland’s most-loved and sold candy. This candy can be a delicious addition to baked goods, and there are several ways that it can be incorporated into recipes.

Here are a 5 recipes suggestions for using Þristur candy in baking and desserts

1. Chocolate and Licorice Mousse au Thristur

Chocolate mousse with Þristur candy is a dessert that combines the rich, creamy texture of chocolate mousse with the distinct, anise-like flavor of licorice. It is a delicious and sophisticated treat that is sure to please anyone.

Ingredients
250 gr Tristur - one bag
0.5 L cream
80 gr egg yolk
15 gr powdered sugar

Toppings
200 gr oats
100 g butter, melted
50 gr sugar

The chocolate Mousse
Melt the Tristinn with 100 ml of cream. Stir well. Add egg yolk and icing sugar and stir well (preferably in a mixer). Lightly whip the rest of the cream. Slowly mix in the lightly whipped cream. Stir gently.

The toppings
Mix everything together in a bowl. Sprinkle on a baking sheet. Bake at 180 degrees until the oats are golden brown.

2. Three times an Ice cream - Þristaís

A delicious creamy licorice and chocolate ice cream that is so tasty and super easy to make. This is a delicious dessert on hot days.

Ingredients
6 egg yolks
90 gr sugar
1⁄2 L cream lightly whipped
2 bags Tristur

Sauce
4 pcs Tristur from the bag
1/2 dl cream

Lightly whip the cream, set aside. Beat egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy. Put 1 bag of Thristi in a pot together with 1 dl of cream, melt together on low heat (it's okay if there are small pieces that don't melt into the rest), leave for a while to cool. Pour the mixture into the ice cream mixture in a narrow bowl, stirring slowly. Carefully mix in the cream with a spoon in small portions. Cut approx. Cut 1⁄2-3/4 of the second piping bag into slices and add to the ice cream mixture, mix with a lollipop. Place the ice cream mixture in a bowl or form and cut the rest of the Thristi down and arrange on top. Place in the freezer for at least 5 hours. before serving the ice cream.

3. Brownies with fudgy Þristur

This is the best ever chocolate brownies recipe with chocolate and licorice. Something unique happens when licorice and chocolate join forces in this brownies.

Ingredients
225 g butter
240 gr dark chocolate
6 eggs
4 dl sugar
250 - 300 gr Tristar
3 dl flour
1 1/2 tsp vanilla drops
6 tbsp cocoa

Heat the oven to 130 ̊°C fan.
Melt butter and chocolate together over a water bath on low heat. Beat eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Vanilla drops mixed in. Sift together the flour and cocoa and mix it into the egg mixture, mix with a lollipop. The chocolate and butter mixture is poured into the dough together with bites of Pristur, which has been cut into pieces. Mix gently. Put the dough in a 35x24cm form with baking paper in the bottom. It's best to have the shape just over half full and bake for 32-37 minutes. Let the cake cool before cutting into pieces.

4. Rice Krispie with Þristur

These crunchy Þristur rice crispy cakes you and your kids will love making. You can decorate with nuts, dried fruit, more sweets or what ever you fancy. These bite size treats make a ultimate home treat and delicious after-dinner snack.

Ingredients
50 g butter
100 g chocolate
5 tbl spoon sirup
6 small threes
200 gr rice krispies

Butter, sirup, chocolate and Thristur melted together in a pot at low heat. Pot taken off the stove. Rice Krispies stirred with a ladle. Put in a shape and press down a little with a fork. Refrigerate for an hour. Cut into pieces and serve.

5. Chocolate chip meringue with Þristur

Do you love meringue? Give your favorites' dessert a twist with these chocolate and liquorice chip meringue that are easy to make and look beautiful on a holiday cookie platter.

Ingredients:
4 egg whites
210 gr brown sugar
1 bag of Þristur, finely chopped

Beat egg whites and brown sugar well and long until meringue has formed or for approx. 5-10 minutes.
Carefully add Þristur to the mixture with a ladle and place on a plate with a teaspoon.
Bake at 125°c for 30-40 minutes.

Buy Þristur candy online?

Are you tempted and inspired to try the delicious Pristur candy in a recipie? I can’t believe that you want to miss out on these amazing recipe's. You can buy online Þristur in bags here and buying 10 bags you save some money. 

Share your Þristur recipes and leave comments on what you think about these recipies and how you would like to change them. We would love to hear what you think.