IMITATION BUTTERMILK CANDY

In heavy 4- or 5-quart saucepan combine sugar and soda. Add buttermilk and stir. Cook over medium high heat, stirring almost constantly until mixture reaches firm to hard ball stage. (During the last several minutes you must stir vigorously and constantly to prevent burning.) Remove from heat. Immediately add vanilla and stir to mix. Pour onto buttered dish or pan (I use cookie sheet). Let cool. Break apart as you would peanut brittle or toffee. Texture should be grainy.
This is the closest I have been able to duplicate the Buttermilk Candy Daddy used to make. Since beginning work on this cookbook, I’ve made 8 or 9 attempts—some of which were really pitiful. This version is almost like what he used to make.