In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of sugar, ½ cup of butter, and ½ cup of milk over medium heat. Stir the mixture constantly, ensuring all ingredients start to blend together. Continue heating until it reaches a gentle boil, which will take about 4-5 minutes.

Once the mixture has come to a boil, allow it to cook undisturbed for exactly 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Use a wooden spoon to combine until the chocolate melts into the hot mixture.

Next, mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you're adding nuts for that delightful crunch, throw in 1 cup of chopped nuts at this stage and blend thoroughly.

Prepare an 8x8 inch baking dish by greasing it lightly. Carefully pour the prepared fudge mixture into the dish, using a spatula to smooth the top.

Let the fudge cool at room temperature for about 1-2 hours, or you can refrigerate it for faster cooling if you’re eager to indulge.

Once your fudge has fully set, take it out of the dish and cut it into squares using a sharp knife.