Pecan Pralines

Indulge your sweet tooth with this classic Southern pecan praline recipe—a true celebration of buttery, caramelized perfection paired with nutty decadence. Made with a rich combination of granulated and brown sugars, velvety heavy cream, and aromatic vanilla extract, this recipe captures the iconic melt-in-your-mouth texture and golden sweetness that pralines are famous for. Rustic chopped pecans add the perfect crunch, while a splash of salt balances the flavors beautifully. With an easy-to-follow process and just 30 minutes from stovetop to cooling, these homemade delights make a show-stopping treat for gifting, dessert tables, or snacking. Perfectly sweet, slightly creamy, and irresistibly nutty, these pecan pralines will transport you straight to the heart of Southern charm!

Nutriscore Rating: 34/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 cups Pecans, roughly chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

Prepare a large sheet of parchment paper on a flat surface for cooling the pralines. Ensure it's ready before starting the cooking process.

Step 2

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, unsalted butter, heavy cream, and salt. Stir frequently to dissolve the sugars and melt the butter.

Step 3

Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil. Continue cooking while stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 235°F to 240°F on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). This should take about 10–15 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and chopped pecans.

Step 5

Using a wooden spoon (or spatula), beat the mixture gently for 1–2 minutes, or until it begins to thicken and becomes slightly creamy.

Step 6

Working quickly, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper, forming individual pralines. Aim to work fast before the mixture hardens too much.

Step 7

Allow the pralines to cool and set completely at room temperature, about 20–30 minutes.

Step 8

Once fully cooled and hardened, store the pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1075.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4862.8

Total Fat 291.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 364mg	0%
Sodium 1308.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 573.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.6g	0%
Total Sugars 550.0g
Protein 21.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 292.9mg	0%
Iron 6.6mg	0%
Potassium 1141.9mg	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: 52.4%

Protein: 1.7%

Carbs: 45.9%