Old Fashioned Chocolate Fudge

My mom used to make this fudge recipe for holidays and it has always been a favorite of the family.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 36
• Yields: 36 Pieces

Ingredients

• 3  cups sugar
• 2⁄3  dark unsweetened cocoa, I like Hershey's Cocoa Powder
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups  whole milk
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup pecans, finely chopped (optional)
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Line 8 or 9 inch square pan with foil.
2. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in a heavy 4-quart saucepan.
3. Stir in whole milk.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a full rolling boil.
5. Boil without stirring until mixture reaches 234 degrees on a candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a soft ball.
6. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Do Not Stir. Cool at room temperature to 110 degrees.
7. Stir in pecans.
8. Beat with a wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to loose some of its gloss.
9. Quickly spread into prepared pan.
10. Cool completely.
11. Cut into square.
12. Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature.