Description
These Old-Fashioned Pecan Pralines are a classic Southern candy featuring a creamy, buttery, and perfectly sweet vanilla-flavored mixture studded with crunchy pecans. Made by cooking sugar, brown sugar, and evaporated milk to precise temperatures, then stirring in butter, pecans, and vanilla, these pralines quickly set into rich, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for holidays, gifts, or anytime indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Pralines Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk)
- ¼ cup butter (salted or unsalted, both work)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups pecan halves (chopped pecans also fine)
Instructions
- Prep: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set out a spoon or small scoop for dropping the praline mixture later.
- Cook sugars and milk: In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and evaporated milk. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugars and prevent burning. Cook until the mixture reaches 228°F (thread stage) on a candy thermometer, indicating the right temperature for the base.
- Add butter and pecans, continue cooking: Stir in the butter and pecans into the hot syrup. Keep cooking and stirring until the mixture hits 236°F (soft-ball stage), which ensures the pralines will set properly.
- Stir in vanilla and cool: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Continue stirring the mixture vigorously until it thickens slightly and loses its glossy sheen, signaling readiness for shaping.
- Shape and cool: Quickly drop spoonfuls of the hot praline mixture onto the prepared baking sheet using a spoon or small scoop. Allow the pralines to cool and firm up at room temperature, approximately 30 minutes, before serving.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer for accurate temperature readings to ensure perfect texture.
- Evaporated milk is preferred over sweetened condensed milk to achieve the right consistency and flavor.
- Both salted and unsalted butter work; adjust other salt or sweetness preferences accordingly.
- You can use whole pecan halves or chopped pecans based on texture preference.
- Store pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Work quickly when dropping spoonfuls as the mixture sets fast once off the heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
