Description
New Orleans Pecan Pralines are a classic Southern candy featuring a creamy, slightly grainy texture with rich, buttery flavors and crunchy pecans. These sweet treats are made by cooking sugars and milk to the perfect soft ball stage, then mixing in pecans and vanilla before setting into individual pralines. Perfect for a traditional dessert or gift, these pralines showcase the sweet, nutty, and comforting taste of Southern confectionery.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar (packed)
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside for the pralines to cool and set on later.
- Combine Ingredients: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, light brown sugar, whole milk, and unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugars and melt the butter completely.
- Bring to Boil and Cook: Continue stirring until the mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Once boiling, attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and cook without stirring until the temperature reaches 236–240°F, which is the soft ball stage in candy making.
- Remove from Heat and Add Flavor: Once it reaches the correct temperature, remove the saucepan from heat immediately. Stir in the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and the pecan halves to add flavor and texture.
- Beat the Mixture: Using a wooden spoon, beat the mixture vigorously for 2–3 minutes until it thickens, becomes creamy, and slightly grainy. This step is crucial for achieving the classic praline texture.
- Form Pralines: Working quickly, drop spoonfuls of the candy mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Shape them as necessary while still warm.
- Cool and Set: Allow the pralines to cool and set at room temperature for about 30 minutes until firm before serving or storing.
Notes
- Do not overbeat the mixture, as this may cause the pralines to harden before you can scoop them.
- Store pralines in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- For a deeper, richer flavor, lightly toast the pecans before adding them to the mixture.
