Line a 13X9" pan with foil. Butter the pan and set aside. Butter the sides of a heavy 3 qt. Saucepan. Combine the sugar, butter and milk. Cook over medium-high heat to boiling stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Dissolving the sugar should take about 7 minutes. Carefully clip thermometer onto inside of pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently till thermometer reaches 236 degrees, soft ball stage. Mixture should be boiling at a moderate steady rate over the entire surface. Reaching soft ball should take 12-13 minutes at this boil rate. Remove saucepan from heat and unclip thermometer. Add chocolate and marshmallow creme, then vanilla and nuts. Stir quickly until well blended and then turn out into pan. While fudge is still warm score the surface into individual pieces if desired. Store in fridge. Makes 3 1/2 pounds.
