Easy fudge with cocoa powder and sweetened condensed milk

Ingredients

• 2 cups

  granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup

  unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/2 teaspoon

  salt

• 1 cup

  whole milk

• 2 tablespoons

  unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish

• 2 teaspoons

  vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Measure the ingredients and whisk. Measure the sugar, cocoa and salt in the saucepan you are using to cook the fudge. Add the milk and whisk until blended. Don't worry about a few lumps, they'll go away when you heat the mixture.

2. Bring to a boil. Bring the mixture to a boil over a medium-low flame. Stir occasionally with the spatula but not too often or your fudge will be grainy. Keep the heat as low as possible to avoid scorching.

3. Prepare pan, ice water, and water bath. While the fudge is cooking, butter the pan that will hold the fudge (see note). Fill a glass or jar with ice and water and set next to the stove. Fill your sink with several inches of cold water.

4. Determining when the fudge is done. Start checking the fudge for doneness after 10 minutes of boiling. If you are using a thermometer, your fudge is ready when it reaches 235°F. Or go old-school and use the soft ball test. Using a metal spoon, drizzle a little fudge in a cup of ice water. If it forms a soft, pliable ball, then it's done.

   Another hint that your fudge is almost ready is that it will go from a mix of larger and smaller bubbles to just the smaller, tighter bubbles. Begin testing as soon as you notice this change.

5. Add the vanilla and butter, and beat until cool. When the fudge is done, turn off the heat and gently stir in the vanilla and butter. Remove from the stove and place the pan of fudge in the sink of cold water being very careful not to splash into the pot. The water may sputter for a few seconds when the hot pan hits it. Holding the pot steady with one hand, beat the fudge using a wooden spoon until it is fairly cool but still liquid.

6. Pour into the pan. Pour the fudge into your prepared pan. It should be liquid enough to spread out evenly on its own.

7. Cool, cut, and enjoy. Allow the fudge to cool before you cut it. I find that about 1/2 hour at room temperature is good. Use a thin-bladed sharp knife to cut the fudge. You can dip the knife in hot water, wiping the blade dry with a dish cloth, if needed.

Recipe Notes

I find that a pyrex pie plate, my dad's preferred fudge pan, makes the squares too thin, so I use a smaller individual gratin dish as pictured. You can also just double the recipe, using the pie plate (or even an 8-inch square pan).

Just before you pour the fudge into its cooling pan, you can stir in any number of extras. A chopped nut such as walnut, almond, or macadamia is wonderful. Chopped candy canes are good for the holidays, too