Ingredients
6cupswhite sugar,divided
2cupsheavy cream
½tspbaking soda
½cupbutter
1tspvanilla extract
2lbspecan halves or pieces
Preparation
Butter a 9×13-inch dish and a medium, heavy saucepan.
In the buttered saucepan, combine 4 cups of sugar and cream. Have ready.
In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, pour the remaining 2 cups of sugar. Cook, stirring constantly until sugar begins to melt.
Place the saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Continue to cook and stir the sugar in the skillet until it is completely melted and light brown.
Pour the melted sugar very slowly, in a thin stream, into the lightly simmering cream, stirring constantly (This step may take 5 minutes, and works best if someone strong pours the melted sugar very slowly.)
Heat now, without stirring, to 242 to 248 degrees F or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm but pliable ball.
Remove from heat and stir in baking soda (mixture will foam). Drop the butter into the foaming mixture and let rest without stirring for 30 minutes.
Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon and continue to stir vigorously for 10 to 15 minutes until the mixture loses its gloss.
Then fold in pecans and quickly turn candy into the prepared 9×13 inch dish. Let cool until just warm and cut in 1 inch pieces.
