Indulge in the rich, Southern charm of Ada Perez Pralines, a delightful pecan candy that’s equal parts creamy and crunchy. Made with a luscious blend of granulated and light brown sugars, butter, and creamy whole milk, this classic praline recipe achieves the perfect balance of sweetness and caramelized richness. The addition of vanilla extract infuses a warm, aromatic depth, while toasted pecan halves provide a satisfying nutty crunch. These irresistible treats are cooked to the perfect soft-ball stage, ensuring the ideal melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you’re satisfying your sweet tooth or looking for a thoughtful homemade gift, Ada Perez Pralines are a timeless confection that’s as easy to make as it is to love. With just 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, this recipe is your go-to for authentic Southern pralines made right in your kitchen.
Prepare a large sheet of parchment paper on your counter or on a baking sheet to cool the pralines later.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, unsalted butter, milk, and a pinch of salt.
Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the butter melts and the sugar is completely dissolved.
Increase the heat to medium-high and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan.
Continue cooking the mixture without stirring until it reaches the soft-ball stage (about 236°F or 113°C on the candy thermometer).
Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the saucepan from the heat immediately and stir in the vanilla extract and pecan halves.
Working quickly, use a wooden spoon to mix the praline mixture together until it begins to thicken slightly and becomes creamy. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper. The pralines will spread slightly as they cool.
Let the pralines cool completely at room temperature until they harden, about 30 minutes.
Once cooled and set, store the pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Enjoy!
Calories |
4829 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 267.0 g | 342% | |
| Saturated Fat | 74.9 g | 374% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 277 mg | 92% | |
| Sodium | 305 mg | 13% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 640.0 g | 233% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.6 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 615.1 g | ||
| Protein | 29.8 g | 60% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 651 mg | 50% | |
| Iron | 7.0 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 1593 mg | 34% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.