4.9 from 468 votes
Southern Pecan Pralines
There is nothing like old-fashioned Southern Pecan Pralines! This melt-in-your-mouth treat is a cross between a cookie and a candy and it's loaded with crunchy pecans, butter, and fabulous brown sugar flavor.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 16 -20 servings
Calories: 296 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup evaporated milk or half-and-half
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium-size heavy pot, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, evaporated milk, and butter. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until the sugars dissolve and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Continue to cook until the temperature reaches between 235-240°F on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage). Remove from heat and allow the praline mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla and pecans, beating by hand with a wooden spoon just until the candy begins to lose its glossiness and thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. If you beat too long, the candy will seize and start to crumble. If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky.
- Work quickly to drop heaping tablespoons (I use a small cookie dough scoop) of pecan praline mixture onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. If the praline mixture begins to harden in the pan, add a teaspoon of hot water at a time and stir to keep the mixture loose enough to scoop and drop.
- Cool completely until set and the pralines have reached room temperature. Store in an airtight container on the counter for 2 weeks or freeze for up to 2 months.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Some people prefer to chop their pecans. I leave mine whole just like the pecan pralines at River Street Sweets.
- Adapted from AllRecipes.
Nutrition Information
Calories
296kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
16mg
(5%)
Sodium
97mg
(4%)
Potassium
129mg
(4%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
41g
(82%)
Vitamin A
176IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
69mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16-20 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 296
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 296kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 97mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 129mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 41g | 82% |
| Vitamin A | 176IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 69mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.