CAMELOT FANTASIES

Southern Pralines                                                                                                                                                                    2 cups sugar, 2 cups pecan halves, 3/4 cup buttermilk, 2 tbsp butter, 1/8 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp baking soda, Parchment paper. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring gently, 10 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Cover & cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes to wash down sugar crystals from sides of pan. Uncover & cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 235 degrees ( soft ball stage ). Remove from heat & stir in baking soda. Beat with a wooden spoon just until mixture begins to thicken. Working rapidly, drop by tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper; let stand 30 minutes or until firm. Makes 1 1/2 - 2 dozen. (Note: I always put something under the parchment paper since it will be slightly hot, to keep it from marking up my counter tops or table. If you have a granite counter top, then you don't need to. This is a very old Southern recipe that people have been making in the South for generations. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does.)