Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients

• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts, optional
• Flaky sea salt, optional

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment extending over two sides, lightly butter the paper, and measure every ingredient before heating.
2. Step 2.Place chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and kosher salt in a heavy saucepan set over the lowest practical heat.
3. Step 3.Stir slowly and continuously with a flexible spatula, scraping the bottom and corners so concentrated milk and chocolate cannot scorch.
4. Step 4.Remove the pan as soon as the mixture is smooth and glossy with no unmelted chips; prolonged heating can make finished fudge oily or grainy.
5. Step 5.Stir in vanilla and optional toasted walnuts off the heat, folding only until evenly distributed without beating air into the mixture.
6. Step 6.Immediately spread the thick fudge into the lined pan, press it into the corners, and smooth the top before it begins to set.
7. Step 7.Add a very light sprinkle of flaky salt if desired, then refrigerate uncovered until firm throughout, about 3 hours or overnight.
8. Step 8.Lift out by the parchment, let stand 5 minutes, and cut with a warm dry knife, cleaning the blade between cuts for neat squares.