Pralines Recipe

Pralines overlapping with pecans in the background on a white background

4.42 from 17 votes

Learn how to make buttery, brown sugar hinted Pecan Pralines right in the comfort of your own home. These sweet, salty and slightly chewy nut candies are a classic New Orleans treat that anyone can enjoy!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Cajun/Creole, Southern

Servings: dozen

Calories: 216kcal

Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams

Equipment

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 tbsp molasses or dark corn syrup
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tbsp butter
2 cups pecans toasted and coarsely chopped
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
In a heavy bottomed medium saucepan, stir together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, molasses, and cream over medium high heat. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves.
Bring to a boil and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken and form a soft ball when a small amount is dropped from a spoon into a bowl of cold water, about 5 minutes. (Or using a candy thermometer; the temperature needs to reach 240F.) . Be very careful through this process, as the mixture is very hot and can burn severely.
Remove the pan from the heat and use a wooden spoon to stir in the butter, pecans, salt and vanilla. Continue to stir vigorously until thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Working quickly, spoon heaping tablespoons of the mixture onto the lined baking sheet. Allow the pralines to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

If you prefer flat pralines, replace cream with 1 cup of milk. Also you can replace molasses with dark corn syrup and keep the cream for thicker chewier pralines.

How to store & reheat pralines

Cool your homemade pralines down completely. They should be totally set before you store them up. Use parchment paper in between stacks of pralines so they don't stick together. They can be kept at room temp and will last about a week boos.

How long will this praline recipe last in the fridge?

No need to refrigerate traditional pralines y'all. They keep well at room temperature so that texture stays on point.

Can I freeze pecan pralines?

Yep for sure boos but the texture can change slightly once you thaw them. Just fyi. Wrap each individually in plastic wrap and toss in a ziptop bag removing all air. They can stay in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition