An old fashioned, cocoa based fudge with intense chocolate flavor. We always just called this "Grandma's Fudge" because my grandmother was famous for making this fudge for every occasion.
Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until soft ball stage (235° - 240° F).
Remove from heat, add vanilla and stir vigorously until creamy. The gloss or color or the mixture will change becoming lighter and more matte just before it is creamy. The temperature will drop to between 180° - 190° F, but the mixture should still be pourable.
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pour into pan (spread to corners if necessary).
Do not cool completely before cutting; the fudge should still be warm and slightly soft when you cut it into squares (~1 inch). Let it cool completely before storing in an air tight container.
Notes
Optional variations:
Stir in ½ cup finely chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, just before pouring the fudge into the pan.
Stir in ½ cup chopped Oreo cookies just before pouring the fudge into the pan.
Replace the milk with coconut milk, and the vanilla with coconut extract. Stir ½ cup of finely chopped toasted coconut in just before pouring the fudge into pan.