Description
Classic Southern Pecan Pralines are creamy, buttery candy treats made from sugar, cream, pecans, and molasses. These rich, melt-in-your-mouth pralines are cooked to perfection and set into irregularly shaped pieces, offering a delightful balance of sweetness and nutty flavor, perfect for holiday gifting or indulgent snacking.
Ingredients
Praline Ingredients
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Heaping ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the pralines do not stick after cooking and cooling.
- Cook the Sugar Mixture: In a 5-quart Dutch oven or deep, heavy saucepan, combine sugar, heavy cream, molasses, unsalted butter, and salt. Place over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally with a heatproof silicone spatula or wooden spoon to prevent burning. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 240°F (116°C) on a candy thermometer, which should take about 10 minutes.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the pan from heat and allow the sugar mixture to cool to 210°F (99°C). This cooling phase takes approximately 10 minutes, keep a close eye as temperature monitoring is crucial.
- Add Vanilla and Pecans, Stir to Thicken: Stir in the vanilla extract and pecan halves. Continue stirring gently but continuously just until the mixture thickens slightly and clings nicely to the pecans while remaining glossy and loose enough to spread; this will only take 30 to 60 seconds. Be cautious as it can quickly move from pourable to stiff. If too stiff, stir in 2 to 3 teaspoons of hot tap water to loosen it, then work quickly.
- Shape and Cool the Pralines: Pour the mixture onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread or shape as desired. Let the pralines cool completely to set, which usually takes about 30 minutes for handleable firmness, but ideally allow a few hours to achieve the best texture. Once firm, break into pieces and store.
Notes
- Use a reliable candy thermometer to precisely measure temperatures for perfect praline consistency.
- If pralines harden too quickly while stirring, adding a small amount of hot water can help loosen the mixture to continue working with it.
- For best texture, allow pralines to cool and set fully before breaking them apart.
- Store pralines in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh.
- Precise timing and stirring are key to avoiding grainy or overly hard pralines.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
