Aunt Bill's Brown Candy

Pour one pint sugar in heavy aluminum or iron skillet and place over very low flame. Stir constantly with wooden spoon to keep sugar moving so it won't scorch. It will take about 30 minutes to complete caramelization; it should not be allowed to smoke or turn dark, which can happen if it is cooked to quickly. If cooked correctly, the syrup should be amber colored. As soon as sugar starts to heat, combine two pints of milk in a large heavy kettle. Set over low fire to cook along slowly while you are melting sugar. By the time the sugar is melted, the milk should be almost but not quite boiling. Start pouring, very slowly, the caramelized syrup into the milk keeping the heat low and stirring constantly. "Aunt Bill" always claimed that the secret of success in mixing the two mixtures was pouring the syrup in a thin stream no larger than a knitting needle, while stirring across the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking and stirring until at the firm ball stage. After testing, turn out the fire, immediately add soda, stirring vigorously as it foams; then add butter, allowing it to melt as you stir. Cool for 20 minutes. Add vanilla and beat with a wooden spoon until sheen is gone. Add nuts, pour in pan and cut into squares. Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 1426 Calories; 125g Fat (77.8% calories from fat); 33g Protein; 47g Carbohydrate; 0g Dietary Fiber; 381mg Cholesterol; 1416mg Sodium. Exchanges: 4 Non-Fat Milk; 24 Fat.