Dad's Pecan Pralines
Discover the irresistible charm of "Dad's Pecan Pralines," a Southern classic that combines rich, buttery caramel flavors with the nutty crunch of pecan halves. This quick and easy recipe, featuring pantry staples like granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and heavy cream, allows you to create decadent homemade pralines in under 40 minutes. Achieve the perfect candy texture by boiling the mixture to the soft-ball stage, then folding in vanilla extract and pecans for a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth finish. Perfect for holiday gifting, dessert platters, or an indulgent treat, these homemade pecan pralines are as delightful to make as they are to eat. Store them in an airtight container for up to a week—if they last that long!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 0.75 cup heavy cream
- 0.25 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Directions
Step 1
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
Step 2
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, unsalted butter, heavy cream, whole milk, and salt.
Step 3
Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir continuously with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until the sugars dissolve and the mixture starts to melt together.
Step 4
Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, making sure the tip is submerged but not touching the bottom. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
Step 5
Cook until the mixture reaches 235-240°F (soft-ball stage), which should take about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
Step 6
Add the vanilla extract and pecan halves to the mixture. Stir vigorously for 1-2 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly and looks creamy.
Step 7
Working quickly, drop spoonfuls of the praline mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Use a tablespoon or small scoop for uniform pralines.
Step 8
Let the pralines cool and firm up at room temperature, about 20-30 minutes.
Step 9
Once set, carefully remove the pralines from the parchment paper and transfer them to an airtight container for storage. They can be kept at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1137.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 4923.0 |
| Total Fat 273.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 79.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g | |
| Cholesterol 311.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 731.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 636.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 21.6g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 613.3g | |
| Protein 23.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 26.8IU | 0% |
| Calcium 373.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 6.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1308.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories