Dakota caramels (untested)

This recipe appears to be written in Grammy's handwriting (her handwriting looked different when she wrote in fountain pen). It is undated, but I suspect this recipe pre-dates 1941 (the year she got married).

Ingredients:

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 1/4 pound grated chocolate
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Instructions:

1. Put all ingredients (except nuts) in a saucepan
2. Cook until mixture reaches the firm ball stage* (245°F-250°F)
3. Add nuts
4. Pour into a well-greased plate [a glass Pyrex pan would be good]
5. Cut in squares when cool

*If you aren't using a candy thermometer (which I highly recommend) you can test candy the old fashioned way using cold water.  Click here to read all about testing candy using cold water.