Ingredients
2 cups sugar
8 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon rum or vanilla flavoring
1 1/4 cups water

Instructions
Place all ingredients in a heavy saucepan.
Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
Without stirring, boil until mixture reaches 290 ºF on a candy thermometer.
Pour into a buttered, 9-by-12-inch pan.
Let cool until almost firm to the touch.
Mark into 2-inch squares with a sharp knife.
When cool, break into squares or shards.
Makes 1 1/4 pounds.