Description
Classic Pecan Delight Pralines combine Southern charm with rich, caramelized sugar and native pecans. Buttery confections melt on the tongue, offering sweet nostalgia from Louisiana’s culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (680 g) brown sugar, firmly packed
- 3 cups (336 g) pecan halves, roughly chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
- ½ stick (4 tbsps or 56 g) salted butter
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) light corn syrup
- 2 tsps (10 ml) vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp (1.5 g) salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, light corn syrup, and salt in a large saucepan, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
- Heating: Position the saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring continuously to prevent burning while gradually bringing the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Temperature Development: Integrate butter and maintain a low simmer, stirring consistently until the liquid reaches precise candy-making temperature (236-240°F), approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Flavor Infusion: Remove from heat and fold in chopped pecan halves and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly with a wooden spoon to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Texture Refinement: Vigorously stir the mixture for 3-4 minutes, watching for thickening that resembles a molten, creamy consistency similar to peanut butter.
- Forming Pralines: Quickly drop generous spoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheets, creating uniform praline shapes with smooth edges.
- Cooling and Setting: Allow pralines to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, enabling them to develop a rich, fudge-like texture and firm structural integrity.
Notes
- Temperature Precision: Use a reliable candy thermometer to accurately gauge the mixture’s heat, ensuring perfect praline texture and preventing burning.
- Stirring Strategy: Maintain constant, gentle stirring to distribute heat evenly and prevent sugar crystallization, which can ruin the smooth praline consistency.
- Cooling Considerations: Allow pralines to set naturally at room temperature; avoid refrigeration, as it can cause unwanted sugar crystallization and compromise the creamy texture.
- Ingredient Quality: Select fresh, high-quality pecans and pure vanilla extract to elevate the pralines’ rich, authentic flavor profile and overall delectable experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg