SPICED NUTS

Ingredients

1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 /4 cup boiling water 2 cups pecan halves 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cinnamon and cream of tartar. Place over medium to medium-high heat; add boiling water. Bring to a boil and boil, stirring, until mixture reaches the soft-ball stage, or until syrup spins a thread from a spoon. Remove from heat; add pecan halves and vanilla, briskly stirring until pecans are sugar-coated. Turn out onto waxed paper and separate nuts with a fork. Allow to cool before storing. —Mary Claire Adams, Bullock County