Cherry Merry Christmas Crunch

2 cups walnut halves
1 cup candied red and green cherries, cut in half
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
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

Generously grease baking sheet; set aside.

Combine walnuts, cherries, butter, salt and extracts in medium bowl; set aside.

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).

Cook over medium heat until thermometer registers 300�F (hard-crack stage). Remove from heat; stir in walnut mixture.

Quickly pour onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely. Break into pieces.