Old Fashioned Fudge - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. sugar
6 scant Tbsp. cocoa
2/3 c. milk
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 to 1 c. nuts (optional)

Preparation

Put sugar, cocoa and milk into large heavy pan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly after it starts to boil. Continue cooking until it reaches soft ball stage.
Check by dropping a teaspoon into cold water and rolling it into a ball. (Easier than it sounds.)
Remove from the heat when you can do this.
Add butter and vanilla; stir until thick.
Pour into a buttered 9-inch pan and cool.
May add drops of milk and reheat if it thickens too quickly.