Cherry Merry Christmas Crunch

Cherry Merry Christmas Crunch

Ingredients

• 2 cups walnut halves
• 1 cup candied red and green cherries, cut in half
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cherry extract
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions

1. Generously grease baking sheet; set aside.
2. Combine walnuts, cherries, butter, salt and extracts in medium bowl; set aside.
3. Combine sugar, corn syrup and maple syrup in heavy, large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Carefully clip candy thermometer to side of pan (do not let bulb touch bottom of pan).
4. Cook over medium heat until thermometer registers 300°F (hard-crack stage). Remove from heat; stir in walnut mixture.
5. Quickly pour onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely. Break into pieces.