Buttermilk pecan pralines (cook 'em horns)

Yield: 40 servings

Ingredients:

3 c Sugar
1 Pinch of Salt
3/4 c White Corn Syrup
2 c Pecan Halves
1 ts Baking Soda
1 c Buttermilk
2 tb Butter

Instructions:

In a large saucepan (5 or 6 Quart size) combine sugar baking soda salt buttermilk and corn syrup. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low continue cooking until mixture becomes caramel-colored and reaches soft ball stage (238 degrees). Remove from heat add butter and pecan halves. Beat until thick enough to drop from a spoon onto waxed paper. If mixture becomes too hard return to heat and add small amount of water. Stir until smooth. Yield: 44 to 48 Pralines. *** Variation *** Reduce sugar to 2 cups. Omit corn syrup. Increase butter to 3/4 cup add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Include butter in cooking stage. Add vanilla with pecans. Source: Cook 'EM Horns cookbook The Ex-students Association Univ. of Texas Austin.