Pralines

Southern Living; I make these every Christmas and they bring down the house everytime.

• Ready In: 32 mins
• Yields: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 3  cups  firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1  cup  whipping cream
• 2  tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine
• 2  cups  chopped pecans
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring mixture constantly.
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes, or until a candy thermometer registers 236 degrees (soft ball stage).
3. Remove mixture from heat, and add butter (do not stir).
4. Let stand until candy thermometer reaches 150 degrees.
5. Stir in pecans and vanilla, using a wooden spoon, and stir constantly until candy begins to thicken.
6. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls, working rapidly, onto wax paper.
7. Let stand until firm.