Mine Run Candy

From the Taste of Home website, "This candy always brings back memories of my childhood in mining country. It is so easy to make and you can choose if you want it chocolate coated or not.—Dean&Deluca Wichita Corporate Copywriter, Lisa Henshall, Wichita, Kansas" Posting for safe keeping

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 2 pounds

Ingredients

• 2  teaspoons butter
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  cup dark corn syrup
• 1  tablespoon vinegar
• 1  tablespoon baking soda
• 1 (11 1/2ounce) package  milk chocolate chips
• 1  tablespoon shortening

Directions

1. Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil and grease the foil with butter; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and vinegar. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage).
2. Remove from the heat; stir in baking soda. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Do not spread candy. Cool. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Gently peel off foil; break candy into pieces.
3. In a microwave, melt chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip candies in the chocolate mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 2 pounds.
4. Editor's Note: We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.