Description
This Easy Vanilla Pecan Pralines recipe combines toasted pecans with a rich brown sugar and cream base infused with vanilla. These homemade pralines are delightfully sweet, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth perfect for a quick dessert or gift.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Pecans: Toast the pecan halves in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become fragrant and lightly browned. This step enhances the nutty flavor. Set the toasted pecans aside to cool.
- Make the Praline Base: In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, and unsalted butter. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously until the butter completely melts and the sugar dissolves to form a smooth mixture.
- Boil the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue stirring occasionally and allow the mixture to cook for about 4-5 minutes until it reaches the soft-ball stage between 235°F and 240°F on a candy thermometer, indicating the perfect consistency for pralines.
- Add Pecans and Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat promptly. Stir in the toasted pecans, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt evenly into the syrup. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Form the Pralines: Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the praline mixture onto a parchment paper-lined or silicone baking mat-lined surface. Space them apart to prevent sticking. Let them cool and harden for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the pralines have fully set, enjoy them immediately as a sweet treat or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to preserve freshness.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer to accurately reach the soft-ball stage for perfect praline texture.
- Make sure pecans are toasted to bring out maximum flavor without burning.
- Store pralines in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep them crisp.
- For a variation, try using different nuts such as walnuts or almonds.
- If pralines become too hard, allow them to sit at room temperature before serving to soften slightly.
