1pound light brown sugar
1(5⅓-ounce) can evaporated milk
2tablespoons Karo light corn syrup
¼cup Mazola or Nucoa margarine
1teaspoon vanilla
cups pecan halves

Combine sugar, evaporated milk and corn syrup in 2-quart saucepan. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until temperature reaches 238°F. or until a small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a soft ball. Remove from heat. Add margarine; do not stir. Cool to lukewarm (110°F.). Add vanilla and beat until creamy. Stir in pecans. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Shape with a spoon into a 2½-inch circle, spreading pecans. Allow to remain undisturbed until the pralines are firm and sugared. Makes 1½ pounds.

Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls

1cup Karo light or dark corn syrup
1cup firmly packed brown sugar
¼cup water
1teaspoon vinegar
2tablespoons Mazola or Nucoa margarine
2quarts unsalted popped corn

Combine corn syrup, brown sugar, water and vinegar in saucepan. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until temperature reaches 260°F., or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a ball which is hard enough to hold its shape, yet plastic. Remove from heat. Quickly add margarine; blend. Slowly pour over popped corn in large bowl, mixing well. Shape into balls, using as little pressure as possible. (Grease hands, if desired.) Makes 15 (2½-inch) balls.

Pink Cinnamon Popcorn Balls: Follow recipe for Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls, using light corn syrup and substituting granulated sugar for brown sugar. Add ¼ cup red cinnamon candies to syrup when mixture boils.

Pastel Popcorn Balls: Follow recipe for Pink Cinnamon Popcorn Balls, omitting red cinnamon candies. When adding margarine, add 2 teaspoons vanilla and enough food coloring for desired shade.

Fondant

cup Nucoa or Mazola margarine
½cup Karo light corn syrup
1pound confectioners sugar, sifted
1teaspoon vanilla