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I agree - this is a very challenging level especially trying to get the necessary licorice. @E-3 the checkmark booster can be helpful but until you collect all of the bubblegum and waffles, you are just as likely to get them as licorice. I found I had to work until the very end to get the licorice and your best chance at getting the required amount is to keep clearing the far right and far left columns where you can get multiple licorice to drop and they don't drop every time which is why it is important to keep making matches to provide room for the licorice.
I too completed it the first time (with 3 stars) only because I also got the 15 extra moves like @ThierryMaiden. When I replayed it I used a UFO to help get enough bubblegum so I could concentrate on getting the required amount of licorice.