2 cups sugar
8 tbsp. cocoa
1/3 to 1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. salt

Boil ingredients together until mixture reaches soft ball stage (234°F) in cold water. Remove from heat. Add:

3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
chopped nuts, if desired

Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Allow cookies to harden.

Variation: After removing from heat, add 1/2 cup peanut butter. This may take place of 1/4 cup of the butter.

Yield: 2 to 2 1/2 dozen (depending on size).