Buttermilk Pralines

Step 1: Butter the sides of a heavy 2-quart saucepan.

Step 2: In the saucepan combine brown sugar and buttermilk.

Step 3: Cook over medium-high heat to boiling, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to dissolve sugar. Carefully clip candy thermometer to pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thermometer registers 234 degree F, soft-ball stage.

Step 4: Remove saucepan from heat.

Step 5: Add the 2 tablespoons butter, but do not stir. Cool, without stirring, to 150 degree F.

Step 6: Remove candy thermometer from saucepan.

Step 7: Immediately stir in pecans.

Step 8: Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until candy is just beginning to thicken, but is still glossy.

Step 9: Quickly drop the candy from a teaspoon onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.

Step 10: If the candy becomes too stiff to drop easily from the spoon, stir in a few drops of hot water.

Step 11: Store tightly covered.