Description
New Orleans Pecan Pralines are a delicious Southern candy made with creamy caramelized sugar, butter, and toasted pecans. These sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treats are a must-have for anyone with a love for pecans and caramel!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pecan halves, toasted
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Toast the pecans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, making sure to dissolve the sugar completely. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Once boiling, allow the mixture to cook for 3-4 minutes, continuing to stir. You want the mixture to thicken slightly, reaching a soft ball stage (about 235°F / 113°C on a candy thermometer).
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and baking soda. The baking soda will cause the mixture to bubble up, so be careful!
- Fold in the toasted pecans and stir to combine evenly.
- Quickly spoon heaping tablespoons of the praline mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or silicone mat. You should be able to form about 12-15 pralines.
- Let the pralines cool and set at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or until they are firm but slightly soft in the center.
- Once cooled, remove the pralines from the parchment paper and enjoy your delicious New Orleans-style pralines!
Notes
- If you don’t have a candy thermometer, test the syrup by dropping a small spoonful into a glass of cold water. If it forms a soft ball, it’s ready.
- For a twist, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the mixture for extra warmth and spice.
- Store pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- If the pralines seem too soft or sticky, you can place them in the fridge for a few minutes to firm them up further.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: Candy Making
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 praline
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg