When Ania found this recipe, and made it for the first time, we all threw out our old beloved family fudge recipe without a second thought. This one makes superb fudge. We don’t even bother buying designer fudge because ours is better.

• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup half and half or heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons powdered cocoa
• ⅓ cup corn syrup
• ½ cup butter
• Pinch salt
• Splash vanilla extract (oh, maybe 1 teaspoon or so)
• Nuts (optional)
• Extra spoons (optional)

Butter (only butter – do not use margarine or other spread) a large dinner plate or an 8×8 pan. Mix all ingredients (except nuts), cook to soft ball. Pour hot mix into electric stand mixer and beat on medium speed until mix JUST BEGINS to lose its glossy shine, noticeably thickens, and if you lift out a spoonful and tilt the spoon, will make a slow ribbon as it drips back. Add nuts if desired. Immediately pour into buttered plate or pan.

Optional: pass extra spoons out to whoever is at home, and allow them to take turns scraping fudge out of the mixer bowl and licking it off the spoons. The cook has dibs on the mixer beaters and spatula.