Creamy Pecan Pralines

3 tablespoons butter - divided use
2 cups heavy cream
4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coat a medium saucepan with 1 tablespoon butter; add cream and heat over
medium-high heat. When boiling, add brown sugar and stir rapidly until
dissolved. Stir in pecans and vanilla; continue to cook over medium
heat, stirring frequently.
When mixture reaches soft-ball stage (see note), remove from heat and
quickly beat in remaining butter. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper,
stirring mixture occasionally to keep it soft.
Remove pralines from wax paper before completely cooled. Store in an
airtight container
Makes 32 pieces.