Bourbon Pralines - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup Bourbon
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups pecan pieces
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation

Combine first 5 ingredients in a heavy saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring gently until sugar dissolves. Add pecans; cover and cook over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes to wash down sugar crystals down from side of the pan.
Uncover and cook without stirring to soft ball stage or until candy thermometer reads 235\u00b0F.
Remove from heat and stir in baking soda; beat with a wooden spoon just until the mixture starts to thicken (5 to 8 minutes).
Working rapidly, drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased wax paper; let stand until firm.