Nutty Rich Cocoa Fudge
Makes about 36 pieces or 1-3/4 pounds

Ingredients:

• 3 - cups sugar
• 2/3 - cup Hershey’s Cocoa or Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa
• 1/8 - teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 - cups milk
• 1/4 - cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 - teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 - cup chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts

1. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in heavy 4-quart saucepan; stir in milk.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil.
3. 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.
5. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm).
6. Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss.
7. Immediately stir in chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts.
8. Quickly spread into prepared pan and cool completely.
9. Cut into squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe.

HIGH ALTITUDE DIRECTIONS:

-- Increase milk to 1-2/3 cups

-- Use soft ball cold water test for doneness or Test and read thermometer in boiling water, subtract difference from 212°F. Then subtract that number from 234°F. This is the soft ball temperature for your altitude and thermometer.