Put sugar and milk into heavy saucepan and stir until the sugar is melted. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan. Boil over medium heat until the temperature is 236° F.
Set pan in cold water, add vanilla extract and cool until lukewarm. Add ground Brazil nuts and stir until it begins to thicken and lose its shine. Pour into a wet pan upon which the sliced Brazil nuts have been sprinkled. Cool and cut into squares.
Servings: 8 to 10