Minted Salt Water Taffy

I've made taffy a lot, but never this kind. We used to make taffy for Family Home Evening, and just last summer Camille wanted her boys to have this fun experience. So I hunted down my recipe for Honey Taffy. Here's a great variety to try. It seemed to cool quite quickly, which made it more difficult to pull, but I think it turned out great and tastes really good. Hint: Essence of Pepperment is another way to say Peppermint Oil - not peppermint extract.

MINTED SALT WATER TAFFY
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1½ tbsp. butter
1 cup light corn syrup
2 cups sugar
1 cup hot water
1/2 tsp. essence of peppermint
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Melt the butter (do not brown); add the grated chocolate. Combine the sugar, syrup, salt, and water. Cook over high heat until sugar is well dissolved. Lower heat slightly and cook without stirring to the hard ball stage (when tested in cold water the syrup will hold a ball when molded between thumb and finger). Remove from heat, add the melted chocolate and butter, and stir only to blend. Pour out on a buttered marble slab or large platter. As candy cools slightly, fold in the edges. When cool enough to handle, pick up and stretch. Add the flavorings and pull until it will hold its shape when stretched out into a long, thick rope. Cut in bite-size pieces. Wrap separately in waxed paper. It will make about 90 pieces.