Oklahoma Brown Candy - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 c. sugar
2 c. lite cream
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 lb. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
4 to 5 c. whole pecans

Preparation

Measure 2 cups sugar into a heavy skillet.
Cook over low heat, stirring with wooden spoon as it melts and becomes a syrup, about the color of light brown sugar (don't burn it!).
Mix the other 4 cups of sugar and the lite cream into a large, deep, heavy kettle. Over low heat, bring to a boil, then increase heat to a fast boil. Pour the melted sugar from the skillet into the large kettle mixture in a small, thin stream, stirring continuously to blend. Cook and stir mixture until it reaches a firm ball stage (244\u00b0 to 248\u00b0).
Remove from heat.
Add soda and stir vigorously as it foams.
Add butter and stir until melted.
Set aside at room temperature for 20 minutes.
Add vanilla and beat until candy becomes thick and the glossy appearance turns dull.
Fold in pecans.
Pour into a buttered 11 x 9-inch dish.