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Creamy Pecan Pralines Recipe

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4 from 71 reviews

This classic praline recipe delivers rich, creamy, and nutty treats with a perfect balance of sweetness and buttery texture. Featuring toasted pecans embedded in a smooth, caramelized brown sugar mixture, these Southern-style pralines are ideal for gifting, dessert platters, or satisfying your sweet tooth with homemade candy.

Ingredients

Praline Ingredients

  • 3 cups (22.5 ounces) light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons (1.375 ounces) light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) pecan pieces, lightly toasted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: Add the light brown sugar, heavy cream, light corn syrup, and sea salt into a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture constantly as it comes to a boil, which should take about 15 minutes.
  2. Cook to Soft Ball Stage: Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally now, for 6 to 8 more minutes. Monitor the temperature with a candy thermometer until it reaches 236°F, which is the soft ball stage.
  3. Remove from Heat and Cool: Take the saucepan off the heat and add the room temperature unsalted butter, but do not stir at this point. Let the mixture stand and cool until the candy thermometer registers 150°F, which will take about 20 minutes.
  4. Add Pecans and Vanilla: Once cooled to 150°F, stir in the toasted pecan pieces and vanilla extract. Stir constantly until the candy mixture begins to thicken, which should take several minutes.
  5. Form Pralines: Working quickly, drop heaping teaspoonfuls of the praline mixture onto wax or parchment paper. Shape each into mounds and allow them to stand and firm up completely at room temperature.
  6. Serve and Store: Once firm, pralines are ready to eat. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Notes

  • Tip 1: Toast pecans lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently to enhance flavor before adding to the praline mixture.
  • Tip 2: Work quickly when dropping pralines onto the paper as the mixture thickens fast and will harden if left too long.
  • Tip 3: Yields approximately 36 pralines, depending on the size of spoonfuls.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.
  • Use a reliable candy thermometer for accurate temperature readings to achieve the perfect texture.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/creamy-pecan-pralines-recipe/