Indulge in the irresistible charm of Praline Squares, a decadent dessert that blends a buttery cookie base with a rich, caramel-like praline topping and a sprinkle of toasted pecans. This Southern-inspired treat is as impressive as it is easy to make, with just 15 minutes of prep time and a total bake time of under 30 minutes. The secret lies in the luscious topping, made with brown sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla, which bakes to a gooey perfection and binds beautifully with the crunchy pecans. These squares are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or whenever youβre craving a sweet and nutty dessert thatβs guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether served as bite-sized bars or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, Praline Squares deliver rich flavor and comforting texture in every bite.
Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 0.5 teaspoon of salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly in the pan.
While the cookie base cools, prepare the praline topping. In a medium saucepan, melt 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 0.5 cup of heavy cream over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Spread the praline mixture evenly over the baked cookie base. Sprinkle 1 cup of chopped pecans over the top, pressing them gently into the topping to help them adhere.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the praline squares cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice into 16 squares and serve.
Calories |
4703 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 230.0 g | 295% | |
| Saturated Fat | 90.6 g | 453% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 740 mg | 247% | |
| Sodium | 1895 mg | 82% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 636.0 g | 231% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.3 g | 62% | |
| Total Sugars | 435.5 g | ||
| Protein | 48.0 g | 96% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 390 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 17.6 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 1216 mg | 26% | |
*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.