Chocolate Fudge with Deluxe Mixed Nuts

I was surprised how easy it is to make really good fudge! Basically, bring sugar, cocoa and milk to a boil and cook it rapidly till it gets to 114ºC/237ºF plus a bit to be sure. Then take it off the heat and beat in the butter and nuts. Keep stirring as it cools, add the Vanilla and keep stirring till it first loses the glossy sheen then pour into parchment lined 9x9 inch pan. It needs to be stirred continuously until it gets below the crystallization temperature of sugar.  If it is poured out too soon it will have large sugar crystals. It should be smooth. If it is poured too late, it will break apart when it's cut. Practice makes perfect. This is the best batch so far, and it's still not perfect, but tastes great anyway!

Chocolate Fudge with Deluxe Mixed Nuts

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup milk
1/4 cup mixed nuts
4 tablespoons butter (bit less than 1/4 cup)
1 tsp vanilla extract

In a medium pot combine sugar, cocoa and milk. Bring to a hard boil and keep boiling till temperature reaches at least 114ºC/237ºF. Remove from heat and stir continuously to prevent large sugar crystals. Add the nuts and keep stirring. Add the butter and finally the Vanilla.  When the sheen is gone, pour it into an oil sprayed parchment lined 9x9 pan. Cool as long as possible before cutting. It helps a little to butter the knife before cutting. Bet you can't eat just one!