Pecan Pralines by Microwave

Here's a recipe I adapted from a stove-top recipe in a church women's collection back in the late 60's. It's so easy my sons made it, too, as kids. No scorching, no continuous stirring: let the microwave work for you. I use a 2-qt. glass measuring cup with handle, a wooden spoon for stirring and have a glass lid that fits. The handle helps when the candy hits over 200* The cooling pad of waxed paper over newspaper keeps the wax from sticking to your counter top. Time numbers in brackets are for double batch. Check out the companion recipe for Peanut Patties. These candies make great gifts----I can make up a batch in less time than it takes me to "run" to the store.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 12-20
• Yields: 36-48 patties

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄4 cup light corn syrup
• 1  cup white sugar
• 1  cup dark brown sugar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt (dash)
• 1  teaspoon oleo
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2  cups pecans (halves and or or pieces)
• 1⁄4 cup powdered sugar (apx.)

Directions

1. Put 1st six items in large glass bowl. Cover.
2. Cook on High 4 minute ( 5 ).
3. Stir. Cook on High 4 minute (6 ).
4. Add vanilla and pecans.
5. Stir, then cook on High 2min. (5).
6. Stir in powdered sugar.
7. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper over newsprint. If candy gets too thick, reheat 20-30 secs.
8. Add more nuts at the end if you run out of nuts before candy, (but these don't taste as good as the cooked nuts.).
9. You can also drizzle the extra candy at the end over the first pralines which don't have as much because it was too hot at first.
10. It's the powdered sugar that makes the syrup crystalize as it cools.
11. You can cook on stove---get syrup to softball stage -234*; stir constantly.