Merry Christmas Fudge

2 cups sugar
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chopped candied red cherries

Line an 8 x 8 x 2-inch pan or 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with foil. Butter foil
and set aside Butter sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Add sugar, milk and
corn syrup to the saucepan. Cook and stir over medium-high heat till the
syrup mixture in the saucepan comes to a boil.
Carefully clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Cook and stir the
mixture over medium-low heat for about 12 minutes or till mixture reaches
234
degrees. (softball stage).
Remove the saucepan from heat. Add the butter and almond extract. Beat till
fudge begins to thicken. Quickly stir in the walnuts and cherries. Continue
beating for about 8 minutes more or till fudge no longer is glossy.
Turn the fudge mixture into the prepared pan. Score the fudge into squares
while warm. Cool and cut. Top with additional cherries, if you like. Makes
about 1/3 pound.