2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup light Karo syrup (do not substitute)
½ cup evaporated milk
½ tsp baking soda
¼ cup Land Oâ??Lakes butter (do not substitute)
2 1/3 cups large pecan pieces
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients, except pecans and vanilla in a heavy saucepan (I use a 4 qt. Magnalite pot).
Cook on medium high, for about 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until 248 degrees or just below. Soft ball stage on candy thermometer.
Remove from heat, add pecans and vanilla. Stir 7-8 minutes until mixture looses gloss and begins to thicken.
Drop by tablespoon on parchment paper (line with newspaper under parchment paper). If mixture becomes too think, return to medium heat stirring constantly until it returns to right consistency.
Yields 25 pieces