Old Fashioned Hershey Cocoa Fudge

 Old Fashioned Hershey Cocoa Fudge  

3 cups of sugar

2/3 cup cocoa

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups whole milk, no substitute

1/4 cup real butter, no substitute

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Line 8 or 9-inch square pan with foil; butter foil.

In a large heavy saucepan stir together the first three ingredients; stir in milk, with a wooden spoon*.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a full rolling boil.

Boil without stirring, to 234 degrees F on a candy thermometer (or until syrup, when dropped in very cold water forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water). Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on the bottom of the pan. (This can take 20-30 minutes).

Remove from heat. Add butter & vanilla.

DO NOT STIR! Cool at room temperature to 110 degrees F (lukewarm). (This can take 2 to 2-1/2 hours).

Beat with a wooden spoon until fudge thickens & loses some of its gloss. (This can take 15-20 minutes. It really works best if you have someone to 'tag-team' with.) It starts to look more like frosting than a thick syrup when it is ready.

Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool.

Cut into squares.

Enjoy