Emeril's Crunchy Pralines

Indulge in the sweet, buttery decadence of Emeril's Crunchy Pralines—a classic Southern treat with a perfectly crisp texture and rich, nutty flavor. This easy-to-follow recipe combines granulated and light brown sugars with creamy butter and heavy cream, creating a luscious caramel base that's infused with fragrant vanilla and a hint of salt for balance. Packed with crunchy pecan halves and cooked to the ideal soft ball stage, these pralines are spooned into petite rounds that cool to a satisfying crunch. Perfect for gifting, snacking, or as a sweet finish to any meal, these homemade pralines showcase the quintessential charm of Southern confections. Ready in just 30 minutes, Emeril's recipe delivers professional candy-making results right from your own kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 32/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Light brown sugar, packed
• 1 stick Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 2 cups Pecan halves
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

Step 2

In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream.

Step 3

Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir continuously until the butter is melted, and the mixture is smooth.

Step 4

Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan, ensuring the tip is submerged in the mixture but not touching the bottom.

Step 5

Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until it reaches the soft ball stage (235–240°F or 113–115°C).

Step 6

Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the pecans, vanilla extract, and salt.

Step 7

Work quickly to spoon the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in small mounds, about 2 tablespoons each. Leave space between the pralines as they will spread slightly.

Step 8

Allow the pralines to cool and harden at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Step 9

Once fully set, carefully remove the pralines from the baking sheet and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1184.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5479.8

Total Fat 339.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 118.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 488mg	0%
Sodium 741.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 628.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.6g	0%
Total Sugars 603.3g
Protein 21.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 350.6mg	0%
Iron 7.0mg	0%
Potassium 1227.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.0%

Protein: 1.5%

Carbs: 44.5%