Pralines - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. pecan halves

Preparation

Combine sugar, soda and buttermilk in medium size saucepan. Place over moderate heat (250\u00b0).
Cook, stirring occasionally, until a small amount of the syrup forms soft ball when dropped into ice water or candy thermometer registers 236\u00b0.
Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
Add vanilla and nuts; beat with wooden spoon until slightly thickened.
Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Let stand until set.
Makes about 16 pieces.