Lamothe House Pecan Pralines

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped or whole pecans
1 pinch baking soda

Butter cookie sheet or line with waxed paper.

Cook sugar and milk over medium heat, stirring until mixture starts to boil. Add butter, pecans and soda. Cook, stirring occasionally until it reaches the soft-boil stage (when a bit of the candy dropped in cold water forms a soft ball) or 238^o on a candy thermometer. Remove from fire, add vanilla and beat with spoon until mixture is creamy and begins to thicken. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. (If mixture becomes too hard, return to heat and add a little water).

Makes 12 large or 24 small pralines.