Buttermilk Fudge/ Pecan Pralines

This is a delicious caramely chewy fudge.  Its like nothing you've ever had before.  It is sweet and falls apart in your mouth.  This is my moms recipe that she would make during christmas, you must try it!

2 cups sugar

3/4 c. butter

1 c. buttermilk

1 tsp. baking soda

2 TBL. corn syrup

2 tsp. vanilla

1 c. pecans (optional)

In a large pot (must use large pot because it will foam up a lot in the beginning much like buttermilk syrup does)  on medium heat cook first 5 ingredients stirring until the sugar has dissolved.  Once it has dissolved DO NOT stir anymore or it will take forever to reach its temp. as long as you have it on medium heat it shouldn't burn.  If you start getting nervous about it burning on the bottom take your spoon and scrap once along the bottom and see if you get any dark burned looking pieces.  If you have a thermometer it needs to reach 240 degrees softball stage or if you don't have one you can test it by dropping a small drizzle of the sauce into a glass of cold water, it should form a ball in the water but when you take the ball out of the water with your hands you should still be able to flatten the ball.  Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and pecans.  Continue to stir until it cools and starts to loose it shininess.  Pour into buttered 8x8 pan.  Let set up for a few minutes.  Be careful here because if you wait and stir too long it will turn to sugar in your pan before you can pour it and it will be almost impossible to get out of the pan.  This recipe does not make very much, I would reccomend trying to make this recipe once first before taking it anywhere.