Description
Pecan pralines are a buttery, caramel-y, melt-in-your-mouth cookie or candy. They feature toasted pecans in a creamy, fudgy candy. This New Orleans classic is perfect for Christmas treats.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar (packed)
- 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups pecans (toasted)
Instructions
- Toast pecans at 350°F for about 5 minutes, stirring until fragrant.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Grease a heavy pot with butter over medium-low heat.
- Add heavy cream to the pot.
- Add brown sugar and granulated sugar, stirring gently.
- Add corn syrup, lemon juice, and salt.
- Stir slowly over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.
- Ensure mixture is smooth by rubbing between fingers to check for graininess.
- Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil.
- Do not stir once boiling; let it boil for 3-7 minutes.
- Use a candy thermometer to check for 236°F.
- Remove from heat and let cool on a rack.
- Allow candy to sit undisturbed for 20-40 minutes until it cools to 115°F.
- Add baking soda and vanilla extract, stirring for 3 minutes.
- Stir in toasted pecans.
- Keep stirring until the mixture reaches 105-110°F.
- Drop a teaspoon onto parchment to test consistency.
- When it looks opaque, start dropping pralines onto the sheets.
- If too glossy, stir the pot again.
- Continue dropping until all candy is used, yielding about 27-30 pralines.
- Let cool completely for 20-30 minutes.
- Store tightly sealed at room temperature.
- Freeze individually wrapped pralines for longer shelf life.
- To serve from frozen, thaw for 2-3 hours at room temperature.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients for best results.
- Monitor the temperature closely to avoid crystallization.
- Wrap pralines individually for freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Candy Making
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 praline
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg