Southern Pecan Praline Recipe

Southern Pecan Pralines are a cross between a candy and a cookie with almost a fudge-like texture. The sweet buttery caramel wraps around freshly toasted pecans for an over-the-top taste sensation.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Southern

Keyword how to make pecan praline candy, how to make pecan pralines, pecan praline candy

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Servings candies

Calories 229kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

2 cups pecan halves
2 cups brown sugar
⅔ cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pecans out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast for 7-10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
In a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and corn syrup, stirring frequently. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot. Once the mixture starts to bubble, stir constantly, scraping the sides and bottom, so nothing sticks or burns. Stir the mixture constantly until the temperature reaches 235 degrees (soft ball stage).
Remove from heat and stir in the pecans and vanilla. Continue stirring just until the mixture begins to lose its glossiness. Then working very quickly, drop by rounded tablespoons onto a parchment-covered baking sheet. Let sit for 20 minutes at room temperature or until set.

Notes

Use a heavy pot like a Dutch oven as the thick metal will help control the heat better.
Don't skip the toasting pecans step. It dramatically improves the pralines by bringing out the warm buttery taste and aroma of pecans.
Once the mixture begins to bubble you must stir it continuously. Prior to that it should be very frequently.
This recipe moves very quickly. You should have everything you need right there ready to go. So the toasted pecans and vanilla should be close to the pot. Your baking sheet should be covered with parchment paper before you even get started and be next to the pot.
The mixture will bubble a little bit when adding the vanilla.
There is a fine line with this candy and how quickly it sets up. I prefer to drop a heaping tablespoon of the mixture quickly after stirring in the pecans and vanilla. If they spread too much than give it 30 seconds and drop another tablespoon.

Nutrition