Southern Pecan Pralines

Ingredients

• 3 cups firmly brown sugar packed
• 0.5 cup butter 
• 1 tablespoon butter 
• 0.3 cup plus light
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 
• 2 cups evaporated milk 
• 3 cups pecans toasted coarsely chopped
• 1 cup sugar 
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 

Equipment

• frying pan
• wooden spoon
• wax paper
• dutch oven

Directions

1. Coat sides of a Dutch oven with 1 tablespoon butter.
2. Add brown sugar and next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes). Cover and cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes to wash down sugar crystals from sides of pan. Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes or until mixture reaches soft ball stage (234).
3. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup butter and vanilla.
4. Beat with a wooden spoon 5 minutes or until mixture is creamy and begins to thicken. Stir in pecans. Working quickly, drop mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls onto lightly greased wax paper; let stand until firm.