Pecan Pralines

Pecan Pralines are sweet, rich, nutty, and crunchy candies that are so quick and easy to make. These melt-in-your-mouth Southern confectioneries are popular in the South but have started to become a holiday staple across the country.

Make them during Christmas as a treat in holiday cookie boxes or as a weekend pick-me-up. Making pecan candy may seem complicated, but pecan pralines only take 20 minutes to come together. They’re a cross between a cookie and candy that you need to try!

Why You'll Love these Pecan Pralines

• Nutty caramel flavor. Pecan pralines are world-famous for the caramel-y taste and soft-meets-crunchy nut texture. It’s seriously the best.
• Fast, easy homemade candy. Even though they’re made completely from scratch, these pecan candies take about 20 minutes to make before letting it set, and require a few easy to follow steps to complete.
• Great as Christmas gifts! Pecan pralines are on everyone’s Christmas list. These pecan candies are great to wrap up in cute holiday themed packaging and give to friends, family, and local businesses to show your appreciation this season.

Ingredient Notes

To make these delicious Pecan Pralines, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• pecan halves - you can shell your own pecans if you have time, or you can buy shelled pecan halves for a faster and easier pecan candy.
• granulated sugar - you can also use a granulated sugar alternative like stevia in place of the white cane sugar in these pecan pralines.
• dark brown sugar - similarly, you can use a sugar-free brown sugar alternative in the same amount.
• evaporated milk
• unsalted butter - you can use salted butter if you prefer, but exercise caution when adding the salt that is called for in this recipe, as you may have to decrease the amount or omit it altogether to make sure the candied aren’t too salty.
• baking soda
• salt - opt for a coarser salt like coarse sea salt, kosher salt, or flaky salt.
• vanilla extract - you can use the same amount of vanilla bean paste if you want to intensify the vanilla flavor a bit.

Equipment

You will also need the following tools and equipment:

• measuring cups and spoons
• large cooking pot (try a 4 quart Dutch oven)
• candy thermometer
• half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper

How to Make the Best Pecan Pralines

1. Make candy base. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and baking soda to a large pot fitted with a candy thermometer. Heat over medium heat, stirring regularly until everything has melted and begins to bubble. Once the mixture begins to bubble, stir constantly until the mixture reaches 236°F on the candy thermometer.

2. Add pecans. Remove from heat and immediately add the pecans, vanilla, and salt. Stir vigorously until the mixture has thickened but is still very workable, about 3 minutes.

3. Scoop. Using 2 spoons that have been sprayed with cooking spray, spoon heaping tablespoons of the praline mixture onto a half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper.
4. Set. Allow the pralines to cool and harden at room temperature before enjoying or storing.

Pecan Praline Variations

You can customize the recipe by playing around with some ingredients

• Dip them in chocolate. This is optional, but you can add an extra layer of flavor by dunking these pecan pralines in melted chocolate! Try dark chocolate or white chocolate.
• Switch up the nuts. You can make pralines with any kind of nuts you’d like. Try walnuts or almonds.
• Drizzle with chocolate. Just like you could dip them in chocolate, you could also drizzle them with melted chocolate.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Allow the pecan pralines to completely cool to room temperature, then wrap each candy individually in plastic cling wrap and place in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 3-4 weeks.

How to Freeze

Once cooled, wrap each praline individually in plastic cling wrap and then transfer all of the wrapped pralines to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, defrost in the fridge overnight and then allow them to come up to room temperature on the counter.

More Candy Recipes

• Candied Pecans
• Sohan (Pistachio Brittle)
• Florentines
• Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Bark
• Oreo Truffles
• Caramel Apples

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