Pralines

1  cup  butter (no substitutes)
1  cup  buttermilk
1  tsp  baking soda
3  cups sugar
Pinch of salt
2  Tbs  Light Karo syrup
1  tsp  vanilla
1-1/2  cups pecan halves

Combine soda with buttermilk. Melt butter in a large, heavy pan. Using a wooden spoon, stir in buttermilk, sugar, salt, and syrup. Cook to 238 degrees on the candy thermometer, stirring constantly.

Pour into stainless steel bowl. Add vanilla and pecan halves. Beat with a wooden spoon for 2 - 3 minutes. Working fast, drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Cool. Store in airtight container.