Pralines (Paula Deen)

By jasonhewitt

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons dark corn syrup
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Preparation

Step 1

Butter the sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Put the sugars, salt, corn syrup, milk, and butter in saucepan. Over medium heat, stir mixture constantly with a wooden spoon until sugars have dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Continue to cook to a soft ball stage, approximately 236 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.

Add the vanilla and nuts, and beat with a spoon by hand for approximately 2 minutes or until candy is slightly thick and begins to lose its gloss. (Watch the consistency—if I beat too long, I can’t drop them!) Quickly drop heaping tablespoons onto waxed paper. If the candy becomes stiff, add a few drops of hot water.