Christmas Baking: Butter Pecan Fudge

This seems to be a year of firsts for me in the baking realm. :) I've never made fudge before, and this recipe looked good. 1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/8 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 cup pecan halves, toasted and coarsely chopped

In a large heavy saucepan, combine butter, sugars, cream, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Stir in confectioners' sugar until smooth (I used a whisk, and added the sugar 1/2 cup at a time). Fold in pecans.

Spread into a buttered 8-inch square dish. Cool to room temperature. Cut into 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Yield: 1-1/4 lbs.