Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   3      cups          sugar
   1      pinch         salt
     3/4  cup           white corn syrup
   2      cups          pecan halves
   1      teaspoon      baking soda
   1      cup           buttermilk
   2      tablespoons   butter

Preparation:

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. *** 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.