The Dreamiest Buttermilk Pecan Pralines Recipe Ever Made

Sweet Southern buttermilk pecan pralines dance with rich, creamy textures that whisper classic comfort.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen swirl through each golden, crisp bite.

Sugary caramel notes mingle delicately with toasted pecans, creating an irresistible Southern treat.

Crafting these pralines feels like wrapping yourself in a warm culinary embrace.

Delicate crystals of sugar promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience that connects generations of home cooks.

Sharing these delectable confections around a cozy table, watching faces light up with pure delight.

You can recreate this magical Southern tradition right in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love Buttermilk Pecan Pralines

• Craft Creamy Southern Comfort: These buttermilk pecan pralines deliver a rich, velvety experience that captures the heart of traditional Southern desserts with minimal kitchen effort.
• Quick No-Fuss Preparation: Requiring just one saucepan and basic ingredients, this recipe transforms simple components into elegant candies in under 30 minutes, perfect for spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Texture Sensation Delight: The pralines offer an irresistible combination of smooth, glossy exterior and crunchy pecan chunks, creating a satisfying melt-in-your-mouth sensation that keeps you reaching for more.
• Versatile Gifting Option: These homemade treats make charming edible gifts, easily packaged in cute boxes or wrapped as delightful homemade presents for holidays, birthdays, or just because moments.

What’s in Buttermilk Pecan Pralines

• Buttermilk: Adds tangy flavor and helps create a creamy, smooth texture for the pralines.
• Sugar: Main sweetener that helps create the classic praline consistency and caramelized flavor.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Baking Soda: Helps neutralize the buttermilk's acidity and promotes proper browning.

• Pecans, Vanilla Extract: Pecans add crunch and nutty flavor, while vanilla provides warm, sweet depth to the pralines.

Steps to Make Buttermilk Pecan Pralines

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Grab a baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This will be your landing zone for delicious praline drops. Set the sheet nearby so it’s ready when you need it.

Step 2: Build the Sugary Base

• Buttermilk
• Sugar
• Baking soda
• Butter

Place the pan on medium heat and start stirring. Watch the butter melt and sugar dissolve into a smooth mixture. Keep stirring until the contents start bubbling gently.

Step 3: Track the Temperature

Clip a candy thermometer onto the saucepan’s side. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally. You’re aiming for 235°F (113°C), which candy makers call the soft-ball stage. This is where magic happens!

Step 4: Introduce Nutty Flavor

• Pecans
• Vanilla extract

Let the mixture rest and cool for a quick minute or two.

Step 5: Beat Into Submission

Grab a wooden spoon and start beating the mixture vigorously. You’ll see it transform, thickening and losing its shiny surface. Keep beating for about 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Create Praline Droplets

Move fast! Spoon the praline mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. The mixture will start hardening quickly, so work with purpose.

Step 7: Let Cool and Enjoy

Allow the pralines to cool completely at room temperature. Once set, gently peel them off the parchment paper. Savor the creamy, nutty goodness of your homemade Southern treat!

Best Advice for Buttermilk Pecan Pralines

• Prep Like a Pro: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy praline removal.
• Temperature Precision: Use a candy thermometer to hit the exact 235F (113C) soft-ball stage, guaranteeing perfect praline texture every time.
• Quick Work Magic: Beat the mixture vigorously and drop spoonfuls rapidly to capture that ideal consistency before it hardens.
• Nutty Variations: Swap pecans with toasted almonds or walnuts for a delightful flavor twist that keeps the recipe exciting.
• Storage Savvy: Store pralines in an airtight container between layers of wax paper at room temperature for up to a week, maintaining their delicate crunch.

Keeping Buttermilk Pecan Pralines Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store pralines in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking. They'll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks when kept in a cool, dry place.
• Freeze: Wrap individual pralines tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen pralines maintain their quality for 1-2 months.
• Thaw: Remove pralines from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving, which can alter their delicate texture.
• Revive: If pralines become slightly soft, briefly place them in the refrigerator to help them firm up and restore their signature crunch.

What Goes Well With Buttermilk Pecan Pralines

• Brew Complementary Coffee: Serve buttermilk pecan pralines alongside a rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee with nutty undertones that enhance the praline's sweet and buttery flavor profile.
• Pair with Dessert Wine: Select a smooth amber port or sweet muscadel wine that matches the caramel notes and provides a luxurious counterpoint to the praline's sugary crunch.
• Elevate with Bourbon Tasting: Create a Southern-inspired pairing by offering small sips of aged Kentucky bourbon, which highlights the pecans' deep, toasted characteristics and complements the praline's warm, caramelized essence.
• Cool with Vanilla Ice Cream: Crumble pralines over a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful textural contrast between the crisp candy and smooth, cold dessert.

Different Styles of Buttermilk Pecan Pralines

• Southern Comfort Pralines: Swap buttermilk with bourbon for a rich, spirited version that captures traditional Southern flavors.
• Chocolate Pecan Dream: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over finished pralines to add decadent depth and extra richness.
• Spiced Maple Crunch: Replace sugar with maple syrup and add a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg for warm, autumnal notes.
• Sea Salt Caramel Pralines: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of pralines while cooling to create a sweet-salty contrast that elevates the classic recipe.

Common Questions About Buttermilk Pecan Pralines

• What makes buttermilk pecan pralines different from regular pralines?

Buttermilk adds a unique tangy flavor and helps create a smoother, creamier texture compared to traditional pralines, giving these treats a softer, more delicate consistency.

• Why is beating the mixture so important in this recipe?

Beating helps crystallize the sugar and creates the signature grainy, creamy texture of pralines. It also helps prevent the pralines from being too sticky or runny.

• How can I tell if I've reached the soft-ball stage correctly?

Use a candy thermometer and look for 235F (113C). If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small amount of the mixture into cold water – it should form a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water.

• What if my pralines turn out too soft or too hard?

Soft pralines usually mean the mixture didn’t reach the right temperature, while hard pralines indicate overcooking. Practice and careful temperature monitoring are key to achieving the perfect texture.

Buttermilk Pecan Pralines Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Smooth Southern classic Buttermilk Pecan Pralines glide from humble kitchen to sweet Southern charm. Crunchy pecans and silky buttermilk dance together, inviting you to savor pure Louisiana indulgence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) pecan halves or pieces
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

Fat and Flavoring Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Binding and Leavening Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, ensuring a smooth surface for cooling the pralines.
2. Select a heavy-bottomed saucepan and combine buttermilk, sugar, baking soda, and butter. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, stirring continuously until the butter melts and sugar dissolves completely.
3. Gradually bring the liquid concoction to a gentle rolling boil, maintaining consistent movement with a wooden spoon to prevent scorching.
4. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan’s edge, monitoring the temperature carefully as the mixture continues to cook and concentrate.
5. Watch for the mixture to reach exactly 235F (113C), which indicates the soft-ball stage of candy making. This critical point determines the pralines’ final texture.
6. Immediately remove the saucepan from heat and gently fold in toasted pecans and fragrant vanilla extract, allowing the ingredients to integrate smoothly.
7. Let the mixture rest momentarily, about 30-45 seconds, to slightly cool and stabilize its temperature.
8. Vigorously beat the mixture using a wooden spoon, creating a rhythmic stirring motion until the consistency transforms and loses its glossy appearance.
9. Work swiftly to drop rounded spoonfuls of the praline mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring uniform shapes and sizes.
10. Allow the pralines to set and cool completely at room temperature, which typically takes 20-30 minutes, before carefully removing them from the parchment paper.

Notes

• Use high-quality, fresh pecans for the most robust and rich flavor profile in your pralines.
• Calibrate your candy thermometer before starting to ensure accurate temperature reading for perfect candy consistency.
• Work swiftly when dropping praline mixture onto the baking sheet to prevent uneven shapes or premature hardening.
• Store pralines in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 166
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 14 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg