Pecan Pralines
Indulge your sweet tooth with this classic Southern pecan praline recipe—a true celebration of buttery, caramelized perfection paired with nutty decadence. Made with a rich combination of granulated and brown sugars, velvety heavy cream, and aromatic vanilla extract, this recipe captures the iconic melt-in-your-mouth texture and golden sweetness that pralines are famous for. Rustic chopped pecans add the perfect crunch, while a splash of salt balances the flavors beautifully. With an easy-to-follow process and just 30 minutes from stovetop to cooling, these homemade delights make a show-stopping treat for gifting, dessert tables, or snacking. Perfectly sweet, slightly creamy, and irresistibly nutty, these pecan pralines will transport you straight to the heart of Southern charm!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 cups Pecans, roughly chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Prepare a large sheet of parchment paper on a flat surface for cooling the pralines. Ensure it's ready before starting the cooking process.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, unsalted butter, heavy cream, and salt. Stir frequently to dissolve the sugars and melt the butter.
Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil. Continue cooking while stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 235°F to 240°F on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). This should take about 10–15 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and chopped pecans.
Using a wooden spoon (or spatula), beat the mixture gently for 1–2 minutes, or until it begins to thicken and becomes slightly creamy.
Working quickly, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper, forming individual pralines. Aim to work fast before the mixture hardens too much.
Allow the pralines to cool and set completely at room temperature, about 20–30 minutes.
Once fully cooled and hardened, store the pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4863 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 291.2 g | 373% | |
| Saturated Fat | 90.4 g | 452% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 364 mg | 121% | |
| Sodium | 1308 mg | 57% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 573.8 g | 209% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.6 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 550.0 g | ||
| Protein | 21.2 g | 42% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 293 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 6.6 mg | 37% | |
| Potassium | 1142 mg | 24% | |
*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.
