Chocolate Fudge

There is a much easier way to make fudge (like the one on the back of the 'marshmallow cream' jar), but this far out weighs it in taste. A little more time consuming, but not hard.

CHOCOLATE  FUDGE

(serves

Ingredients:

*1 1/2 cups whole milk

*4 ounces of a good quality unsweetened chocolate

*4 cups white sugar

*3 tablespoons light corn syrup

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*3 tablespoons butter

*2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

*1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions:

~In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate and 1 1/4 cups milk.

~Add in 4 cups granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons corn syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

~Continuously stir until the chocolate mixture is boiling.

~Reduce the heat and continue to cook, without stirring, until chocolate mixture reaches 230 degrees on a candy thermometer.

~Stir in 1 cup chopped walnuts.

~Remove from heat.

~Add 3 tablespoons butter and 2 teaspoons vanilla, but do NOT stir.

~Allow chocolate mixture to cool until it reaches 110 degrees on a candy thermometer.

~Beat the fudge with a wooden spoon until the mixture begins to lose its gloss and starts to thicken. This will take about 15 minutes.

~Pour into a greased 8x8 inch pan.

~Allow fudge to stand, cool, and set.

~Turn fudge out onto a cutting board, and cut into squares.