Description
New Orleans pecan pralines are rich, creamy Southern candies made with sugar, cream, butter, and pecans, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture and nutty crunch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and heavy cream over medium heat, stirring until sugars dissolve.
- Add butter and continue cooking, stirring frequently. Use a candy thermometer and cook until the mixture reaches 238–240°F (soft ball stage).
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, salt, and pecan halves.
- Beat the mixture with a wooden spoon until it begins to thicken and lose its gloss.
- Quickly drop heaping tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet to form individual pralines.
- Allow pralines to cool completely at room temperature until firm and set.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer for best results.
- Do not scrape the sides of the pan to prevent crystallization.
- Roasting the pecans adds depth to the flavor.
- Add bourbon or spices for flavor variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 praline
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg