Traditional Buttermilk Pralines

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2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons white corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
Large lump of butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups pecans

Combine sugar, buttermilk, corn syrup, baking soda and salt in a large sauce pan and boil until candy thermometer reading is 238 degrees, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, add butter, vanilla and pecans. Beat until right consistency to drop from spoon onto wax paper. It thickens quickly, so work fast. Makes 16-18 large pralines.