Description
Savor the sweetness of the South with our Pecan Pralines recipe. Creamy, caramelized perfection in every delightful bite!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup half-and-half / single cream
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Toast the Pecans: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread pecan halves on a baking sheet and toast them for 10 minutes. This step will bring out their natural oils and enhance the flavor.
- Mixing the Ingredients: Take a medium-sized heavy saucepan. Pour in the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and half-and-half. Add the butter. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Cooking the Mixture: Stir the mixture continuously using a wooden spoon. Keep stirring until the sugar fully dissolves, and the mixture starts boiling.
- Monitoring the Temperature: Let the mixture cook, and use a candy thermometer to monitor its temperature. Take the saucepan off the heat once it reaches between 235-240°F (soft ball stage).
- Cooling and Adding Flavors: Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and the toasted pecans.
- Beating the Mixture: Beat the mixture with the wooden spoon. The key is to do this until the pralines thicken and lose gloss, which should take around 2 minutes. Be careful not to overbeat to avoid the mixture crumbling or under beat, which would result in soft pralines.
- Shaping the Pralines: Quickly spoon out heaping tablespoons of the praline mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. If the mixture hardens in the pan, add a teaspoon of hot water to keep it workable.
- Setting and Storing: Allow the pralines to cool and set at room temperature. Once set, store them in an airtight container. They can be kept at room temperature for up to two weeks or frozen for up to two months.
Notes
- Consistency is Key: The perfect praline is all about the right consistency. It should be firm but not too hard and creamy without being sticky.
- Storing Tips: If you freeze them, ensure they are well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn.
- Handling Sticky Situations: If your pralines are too sticky after setting, they usually need more beating. Next time, beat them a little longer after adding the pecans.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: American