Cooling, Stirring, and Kneading Time 15 minutesmins
Total Time 30 minutesmins
Ingredients
2cupsgranulated sugar
¼cupcocoa powder
Dash salt
¼cupbutter
1cupheavy whipping cream
½teaspoonvanilla extract
1cupnuts or other mix-insoptional
Instructions
Line a 9-in square baking pan with foil, and grease the foil with butter.
In a heavy 3-quart pot, whisk together sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir in butter and whipping cream, and place over medium heat. With a wooden spoon, stir until mixture begins to boil, trying to keep the sides of the pan clean. When it reaches a rolling boil, remove spoon. Brush down all sides with a pastry brush dipped in a little hot water. Do NOT stir it or scrape the sides anymore! Even one granule of sugar can cause the whole batch to turn sugary.
When the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, or the soft ball stage, immediately remove from heat. (If you don’t have a thermometer, test the candy by removing from heat and drizzling about a teaspoon of it into a bowl of ice water. If it holds together well enough to form a soft, pliable ball, it’s ready). At my house, it takes about 5 minutes to get to that stage, but will vary depending upon your altitude. Watch it carefully!
Pour the entire mixture onto a marble slab, and do NOT scrape the sides of the pan. Allow it to sit and cool for 2-3 minutes, and then begin stirring it with wooden spoons or a bench knife. I like to use a spoon in each hand and pull the candy in opposite directions like a taffy pull. Stir in the vanilla.
After a few minutes, it will begin to lose its glossy sheen and set up. Now's the time to add 1 cup chopped nuts or any other mix-in, and you knead it with your hands like bread. You only need to do this for a minute, and then shape it to desired thickness. Place it in the prepared pan, or roll it into logs and wrap it in plastic.
Allow to cool completely, and then cut as desired. Immediately put leftovers in airtight containers, and store in the fridge.