Maple Fudge

I make this fudge at Christmas time and give it to neighbors and friends in holiday tins. It is very sweet! When I was a little girl, my parents used to take us to Mexican restaurant called Monterey House, and under the chips they would put a candy that tasted similar to this fudge. My sister and I didn't like Mexican when we were little, but we loved the candy! I'm not sure about the prep-time, so don't hold me to it.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 36 squares

Ingredients

• 2  cups pure maple syrup (no substitutes)
• 2  cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup half-and-half
• 1⁄4 cup light corn syrup
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  cup  coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
2. In a heavy 3-quart saucepan, combine maple syrup, sugar, half& half, and corn syrup.
3. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring jut until ingredients are combined.
4. Cook maple mixture, without stirring, to 236F on a candy thermometer (softball stage).
5. Remove fudge mixture from heat; stir in butter and beat with an electric mixer until candy is lighter in color and just starts to feel thick.
6. Fold nuts into fudge and pour into a greased pan.
7. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
8. Remove fudge from pan and break into pieces or cut into 36 squares.