1 3/4 c. light brown sugar
3/4 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. light corn syrup
1/4 tsp. salt
2 egg whites
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. broken pecans (optional)

Butter sides of heavy 2-quart saucepan. In it combine sugars, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugars dissolve and mixture comes to boiling. Cook to hard ball stage without stirring. Remove from heat.

Immediately beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Pour hot syrup in a thin stream over beaten egg whites, beating constantly at high speed on electric mixer. Add vanilla; continue beating until mixture forms soft peaks and begins to lose its gloss, about 10 minutes. Stir in nuts. Let stand about 2 minutes. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto waxed paper. Makes 2 to 3 dozen pieces.