A Paula Dean recipe

An extremely close match to the fudge recipe that Mom would make when we were growing up.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups sugar
• 4 heaping Tbsp cocoa
• 3 Tbsp light corn syrup
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 6 Tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Mix sugar and cocoa; add syrup and milk. Cook in saucepan over medium heat until a small drop forms a soft ball in cold water (234-240 degrees F on a candy thermometer). Remove from heat. Add butter, pecans, and vanilla. Beat with mixer or by hand. Pour into a slightly buttered oblong glass dish and cut into squares. Work fast, as mixture thickens quickly.