Absurdly Easy chocolate Fudge

This recipe is lifted in its entirety from the March 2, 2010 Dining section of the New York Times. It IS absurdly easy -- I made this to give out as favors for Sean's birthday tomorrow.

Ingredients:

1 lb. semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (I used semi, but think bittersweet would be divine!)

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

4 tbsp butter

1/8 tsp salt (I forgot this)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Method:

1. Line an 8" x 8" squre baking pan with wax paper, allowing paper to overlap the edges of the pan. Coat with cooking spray.

2. Combine all ingredients, except walnuts, in a microwave-proof bowl. Heat on low for 10 - 15 seconds, then stir, and keep going until melted. We did this 8 times in 10 second bursts.)

3. Mix in walnuts if using and pour into pan.

4. Chill until set, about 4 hours or overnight. Lift fudge out of pan on paper and use a large knife to cut into 2" squares. Makes about 16.

Thoughts:

I can't help but think of all the great mix-ins you could use here -- almond extract, dried cherries, pecans, white chocolate chips, marshmallows . . .