Moms Cocoa Fudge

My mom made the best fudge when i was a kid. She stopped making it after we got older and forgot the recipe. This is the recipe off of the Hersheys Cocoa can. It took me forever to find it again. Very rich and stops the chocolate cravings. A favorite at Christmas time.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 30 pieces

Ingredients

• Ingredients

• 3  cups sugar
• 2⁄3 cup  hershey's  cocoa or 2⁄3 cup  hershey's special  dark cocoa
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Directions:.
2. . Line 8-or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter foil.
3. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in heavy 4-quart saucepan; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil. Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 234°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water, forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water. (Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of saucepan.)
4. Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. DO NOT STIR. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss. Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool completely. Cut into squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature. About 36 pieces or 1-3/4 pounds.
5. NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe.
6. VARIATIONS:
7. NUTTY RICH COCOA FUDGE: Beat cooked fudge as directed. Immediately stir in 1 cup chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts and spread quickly into prepared pan.
8. MARSHMALLOW-NUT COCOA FUDGE: Increase cocoa to 3/4 cup. Cook fudge as directed. Add 1 cup marshmallow creme with butter and vanilla. DO NOT STIR. Cool to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat 8 minutes; stir in 1 cup chopped nuts. Pour into prepared pan. (Fudge does not set until poured into pan.).