Caramelize 1/2 cup sugar and very slowly add 1/2 cup water. When sugar has melted, add rest of sugar and boil about 5 minutes. Add cream, butter, and pecans. Boil until syrup reaches softball stage. Remove from fire and add vanilla. Allow to sit a little while, then beat until creamy. Working quickly, drop from serving spoon onto marble slab. (that never works for me- I always use wax paper) "My roommate used to bring us her Memere's pralines after a visit home. She grew up and raised a family on a sugar cane plantation and this is her recipe.