Pralines
Indulge in the rich, buttery decadence of homemade pralines—a classic Southern treat that combines the nutty crunch of pecans with the creamy sweetness of caramelized sugar. This easy-to-follow recipe takes just 30 minutes to create melt-in-your-mouth confections using pantry staples like granulated sugar, brown sugar, heavy cream, and real vanilla extract. Achieving the perfect texture is effortless with the help of a candy thermometer, ensuring your pralines hit the soft-ball stage for a creamy, irresistible finish. Perfect as a gift, party favor, or simply a sweet treat to savor at home, these pecan pralines are guaranteed to impress. With their nostalgic charm and rich flavor, they’re a timeless dessert treasure.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup Light brown sugar
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups Pecans, roughly chopped
Instructions
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and salt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the butter melts and the sugars dissolve.
Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan, ensuring the tip is submerged in the mixture but not touching the bottom of the pan.
Continue to cook, without stirring, until the mixture reaches 238°F (soft-ball stage) on the thermometer.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit undisturbed for 1 minute.
Add the vanilla extract and chopped pecans to the mixture. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
Working quickly, drop spoonfuls of the praline mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out to prevent them from touching.
Allow the pralines to cool completely at room temperature until firm, about 20-30 minutes.
Once set, store the pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
364 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.7 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.3 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 30 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 49 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.7 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.4 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.2 g | ||
| Protein | 1.4 g | 3% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 15 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 72 mg | 2% | |
*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.
