Vanilla Walnut Fudge

Ingredients

2½ cups sugar

1¼ cups heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup Karo light corn syrup

½ tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

Butter an 8 x 8-inch square pan or line pan with buttered foil; set aside.

Combine sugar, cream, corn syrup, salt and butter in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until mixture boils. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally until candy thermometer reaches 235 to 240°F (soft ball stage). Remove from heat; do not remove candy thermometer.

Cool mixture to 100°F. (TIP: To speed cooling, place pan of hot fudge mixture in a cold water bath.) Remove candy thermometer.

Add vanilla. Beat mixture with a wooden spoon until it thickens and begins to lose its gloss (about 4 to 5 minutes). Stir in walnuts.

Pour fudge mixture into prepared pan. Cool completely. When firm, remove from pan; cut into squares.

(Makes 36 pieces)