Pecan Roll

A while back my church had an activity for all the ladies--they had different crafts for us to do, and we made this wonderful pecan roll.  I've never seen something like this before, and it was wonderful!!  I've also never really ventured into the 'candy-making' world.  But this just whetted my appetite to make my own candy.  It was so tasty, and it would make the perfect gifts for neighbors or co-workers.

As a heads up--this recipe makes about 10-12 ROLLS, not just 1, so make sure you have people to give them out to!

PECAN ROLL
Posted at: http://recipesofacheapskate.blogspot.com

CENTERS

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 2 heaping Tbsp karo syrup
• 6 cups sugar

(always have your centers made ahead of the caramels and have them either in the fridge or freezer.  You need a heavy bottomed pan with a lid (pressure cookers work great).  You do not need a marble slab.  The best thing to use is the sink cutout from a counter.)
Butter the sides of your pan, then put the cream and karo in and warm it a little before you start putting your sugar in.  That helps make it easier for the sugar to dissolve).  Slowly add the sugar, stirring with a wooden spoon (don't touch the sides of the pan while stirring).  After all the big lumps of sugar are gone, put on the lid and let it come to a boil.  You can lift up the lid to make sure it doesn't boil over, but this part is important to steam dissolve the sugar from the sides of the pan).  Be sure to wash all the sugar crystals off the wooden spoon.  When it's at a full boil, put your candy thermometer in and cook and stir until it reaches 228degs. Pour the candy evenly on a chilled surface (a marble slab, or whatever you have), and sprinkle wih salt.  Let it cool, then start working the candy (a metal spatula works god--fold it over and over itself).  Work it until it changes textures and is firm.  Sometimes the centers still feel too sticky to form into logs, if so, put it in a glass dish in the fridge and cool it first.
When ready, divide the candy into 10-12 logs, depending on the size you want to make them.

CARAMELS

• 4 cups sugar
• 2 cups karo syrup
• 1 qt whipping cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 Tbsp vanilla

Mix sugar, syrup, salt, and 2 cups cream in a heavy 10-12 quart pan.  Bring to a boil.  Gradually add the rest of the cream and the milk.  Cook and stir to a soft ball stage of 228degs.  This can take up to 45 minutes, and you need to be stirring the whole time, so make sure you won't be interrupted!

PUTTING THEM TOGETHER
Taking a large cookie sheet, spread out pecans (or peanuts, or walnuts).  The large bags you can buy at costco or sams are perfect.  Pour the caramel over the nuts.  Let the caramel cool completely, then you can cut it up into rectangles.  Using a spatula, take a small rectangle, your center log, and work the caramel all the way around the center.  It's not always pretty. . .but just gently pull/squish the caramel around.  Wrap up the logs in plastic wrap, then decor paper to give away.  You can freeze them too until you're ready to hand them out.