Southern Pecan Pralines Recipe
Indulging in the sweet and nutty goodness of pecan pralines is a quintessential experience, especially when they’re homemade. This delightful Southern treat, rich with the flavor of caramelized sugar and crunchy pecans, is the perfect sweet treat to enjoy during the holiday season or to share with loved ones. Whether you’re making them for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, this pecan praline recipe is sure to satisfy.
Pecan pralines are a timeless classic that can be enjoyed anytime, making them an excellent choice as a delicious gift or simply to satisfy your own cravings. In this post, we’ll guide you through the steps to create this irresistible pecan candy, ensuring that every bite is a taste of pure homemade delight.
What Are Pecan Pralines?
Pecan pralines are a creamy Southern confection made by cooking sugar, butter, and cream to create a caramel-like base that coats toasted pecans. The result is a rich, buttery candy that’s slightly crunchy on the outside with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Unlike praline pecans, where individual pecans are coated in a sugar mixture, pecan pralines are a soft candy embedded with pecan halves or pieces.
History of Praline Pecans
While pralines are a southern favorite, their history stems from the Old World back to the 1600s in France. Originally, Chef Clement Lassagne created the candy using almonds and called it a praslin in honor of French diplomat César Duc de Choiseul, Comte du Plessis-Praslin.
As often happens with languages, the original term praslin morphed into today’s praline.
Pralines very may have made it to the United States via French Ursuline nuns. The nuns taught young girls domesticated arts, such as cooking, of which candy making would be included.
In New Orleans, almond trees don’t grow well, unlike the native pecan. It was the culinary genius of African-American women that led to the use of pecans in the confections which are considered one of the earliest street foods in America. It was in New Orleans where this recipe was perfected, becoming the beloved pecan praline we know today.
Let’s look at how this pecan pralines recipe is made, shall we?
Ingredients
For this classic Southern candy, you need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1⁄2 cup light brown sugar
- 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon orange extract, optional
- 2 cups chopped pecans
How To Make Pecan Pralines
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Begin by placing a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and setting it aside. This will be where you drop your praline mixture to cool. Using parchment paper prevents the candy from sticking, making for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Cook the Sugar Mixture
In a large saucepan, combine the white sugar, light brown sugar, buttermilk, corn syrup, baking soda, and salt. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. As the mixture cooks, it will rise, and the sugar will begin to caramelize. Cook until the mixture reaches 235°F on a candy thermometer, the soft-ball stage of candy making.
Stir the mixture constantly with a wooden spoon while it cooks. The mixture will begin to rise as the temperature increases.
It is important to keep stirring – don’t forget to stir the edges – so the sauce doesn’t burn!
Step 3: Incorporate the Butter and Pecans
Once the mixture reaches the right temperature, remove the pan from the heat. Add the unsalted butter, vanilla extract, orange extract (if using), and pecan halves.
Stir the mixture continuously for about 10 minutes. During this time, the caramel sauce will thicken as it cools.
Step 4: Drop the Pralines
Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the praline mixture onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. The mixture will be very hot, so be careful. Allow the pralines to cool and harden completely, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the humidity.
Tips for Perfect Pecan Pralines
- Temperature is Key: Make sure your sugar mixture reaches 235°F (the soft-ball stage) to ensure the right consistency for your pralines.
- Stir Constantly: Stirring is crucial to prevent the sugar from burning and to ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter helps it incorporate more smoothly into the hot sugar mixture.
- Test for Humidity: High humidity can make it difficult for pralines to set properly. If it’s a humid day, consider using a fan to help cool the pralines faster.
Storage Tips
Store your pecan pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. If you’d like to keep them longer, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to layer them between sheets of wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Substitutions and Variations
- Nuts: While pecans are traditional, you can substitute them with other nuts like walnuts or almonds for a different flavor profile. (Psst – they will no longer be Pecan Pralines if you use a different nut.)
- Flavorings: Try experimenting with different extracts, such as almond or maple, to create a unique twist on the classic recipe.
- Chocolate Pecan Pralines: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled pralines for a decadent treat.
Serving Suggestions
Pecan pralines are delicious on their own, but they also make a fantastic topping for vanilla ice cream or a garnish for cupcakes and cakes. For a special touch, serve them alongside a scoop of creamy southern ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert.
Pot Cleaning Tip
After crafting your delicious pecan pralines, you may find that the pan used for cooking has a stubborn layer of sugar. To make cleanup a breeze, fill the pan with hot water and allow it to soak. The heat will gradually dissolve the hardened sugar, making it easier to clean later.
Southern Pecan Pralines
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon orange extract optional
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and set aside.
- Next, combine sugar, light brown sugar, buttermilk, corn syrup, baking soda, and salt in a heavy-bottom saucepan. Cook slowly over medium heat until the mixture reaches 235 °F on a candy thermometer.
- Stir the mixture constantly with a wooden spoon while it cooks. The mixture will begin to increase in volume as the temperature rises. Keep stirring making sure to stir the edges so the sauce doesn’t burn.
- Remove from heat once it reaches 235 °F and add the butter, vanilla, orange extract, and pecans. Stir continuously for ten minutes until the mixture becomes thick.
- As the sauce cools, it will turn into a thick, silky caramel. Drop by spoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Allow to cool completely (about 30 mins).
Nutrition
Indulging in homemade pecan pralines is a delightful way to bring a taste of the Deep South into your home. With their rich, caramel flavor and crunchy pecans, these pralines are the perfect treat to share with friends and family, or to enjoy all on your own. So, go ahead and give this easy praline recipe a try—you’ll be glad you did! Please come back and share your experience of making them.
Delicious
I have made a copy of your recipe and will try making it sometime between now and February 14th. I will try on a day when my husband us not home so I can hide in the bathroom and eat ALL of them.
But not all at once; it will take a few days at least. I have not had much luck with making candy that requires boiling to a certain temperature or stage. But I adore a GOOD praline. Mother had a buttermilk pecan praline that was fabulous but only my sister was able to get them to come out right.
In your introduction you stated that you are a recovering sugar addict.
I think I need those instructions even more than the praline recipe, if you dont mind sharing! Merci beaucoup! Tina