Leche Quemada (Burnt-Milk Candy)

Yield: 2 dozen small squares

Ingredients

• 1 quart pasteurized milk
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or pecan halves
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Place milk, sugar and cream of tartar in a heavy saucepan. Stir to dissolve.
2. Cook over low heat for about 1 hour or until mixture begins to thicken. Stir occasionally and first and constantly later on. When mixture thickens, check by caramel method (dropping a drop of the mixture into a cup of cold water until a soft ball forms) or use a candy thermometer to 232 degrees F.
3. Remove from heat. Add chopped pecans.
4. Pour into a wax paper-lined square cake pan and let it cool.
5. Cut into squares.

Notes

Variation: Omit chopped pecans. Pour mixture by spoonsful onto wax paper, and top each piece of candy with a pecan half.