Vanilla Pecan Pralines Recipe
Classic Southern Vanilla Pecan Pralines featuring a creamy, buttery caramel base loaded with toasted pecan halves and a hint of vanilla. These rich, chewy pralines are easy to make on the stovetop and cooled to perfection for a melt-in-your-mouth treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 pralines 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Praline Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (200g) pecan halves
Instructions
- Prep Your Tools: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking. Optionally, lightly toast the pecan halves to enhance their flavor and aroma. Have two tablespoons or small scoops ready for portioning the candy drops.
- Combine and Cook: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, heavy cream, cubed butter, and baking soda. Stir constantly over medium heat until the butter melts completely and the sugars dissolve, creating a smooth mixture.
- Boil to Soft-Ball Stage: Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Continuously stir to prevent burning. Use a candy thermometer and cook until it reaches 236°F (soft-ball stage), or without a thermometer, cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add Flavor and Nuts: Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the pure vanilla extract and the toasted pecan halves. Stir vigorously for about 30 seconds as the mixture begins to thicken slightly to ensure even distribution.
- Drop and Cool: Quickly drop spoonfuls of the hot praline mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow the pralines to cool at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes or until firm but still chewy.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overheating the sugar mixture beyond soft-ball stage.
- Use fresh pecans and toast them lightly for enhanced flavor.
- Store pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- If pralines become too hard, warming them slightly can restore some chewiness.
- Work quickly when dropping pralines as the mixture sets fast.
Keywords: vanilla pecan pralines, southern pralines, pecan candy, homemade pralines, caramel pecan candy
Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/vanilla-pecan-pralines-recipe/
