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.

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.