Buttery Black Walnut Brittle

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
1 1/2 cups black walnuts
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

In a saucepan, cook sugar, corn syrup and water until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil.

Add butter; cook until mixture reaches 280�F on a candy thermometer.

Stir in walnuts; cook until 300�F (hard crack stage). Remove from the heat and stir in baking soda.

Spread immediately into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. When cool, break into pieces.

Yield; 1 1/4 pounds.