Pralines

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups firmly brown sugar packed
• 0.3 cup butter 
• 1 cup evaporated milk 
• 2 cups pecan halves toasted
• 1.5 cups sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Equipment

• baking paper
• wooden spoon
• wax paper
• dutch oven
• candy thermometer

Directions

1. Bring sugars and milk to a boil in a Dutch oven, stirring often. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, 11 minutes or until a candy thermometer registers 228 (thread stage).
2. Stir in butter and pecans; cook, stirring constantly, until candy thermometer registers 236 (soft ball stage).
3. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon 1 to 2 minutes or just until mixture begins to thicken. Quickly drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto buttered wax paper or parchment paper; let stand until firm.