Irresistibly Sweet Vanilla Pecan Pralines Recipe for Beginners
Sweet southern confections like these vanilla pecan pralines transport you straight to a charming New Orleans kitchen.
My grandmother first shared this treasured recipe during lazy summer afternoons.
Rich caramel notes blend perfectly with buttery pecans in every delightful bite.
Louisiana’s classic treat comes together with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.
Each golden-brown morsel carries memories of slow-cooked sugary delights.
Unexpected warmth and sweetness await when you crack open this traditional Southern recipe.
Gather your ingredients and let’s create something truly magical together.
Why Vanilla Pecan Pralines Are Sweet, Crunchy, and Classic
What’s in Vanilla Pecan Pralines
Sweet Ingredients:Nutty Components:Flavor Enhancers:How to Make Vanilla Pecan Pralines from Scratch
Step 1: Toast Nutty Treasures
Grab a dry skillet and warm your pecan halves over medium heat. Stir them gently for 2-3 minutes until they release a mouthwatering aroma. The nuts should look slightly golden and smell like pure comfort. Transfer them to a cool plate and set aside.
Step 2: Create Magical Caramel Base
In a sturdy saucepan, combine:Heat the mixture on medium, stirring occasionally. Watch it bubble and dance, transforming into a golden liquid. Attach a candy thermometer and let it simmer without stirring until it reaches 235°F – the perfect soft-ball stage.
Step 3: Infuse Flavor Magic
Pull the saucepan off the heat. Splash in vanilla extract and fold in your toasted pecans. Stir quickly but tenderly, ensuring every nut gets a luxurious caramel coating. The mixture will start thickening, signaling it’s ready for the next phase.
Step 4: Shape Sweet Medallions
Using a spoon, dollop generous spoonfuls of the praline mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Move swiftly – the mixture sets faster than you can say “delicious”!
Step 5: Patience Produces Perfection
Let your pralines rest at room temperature. Give them a solid 30 minutes to cool completely and develop their signature crispy-yet-creamy texture.
Step 6: Store Your Treasure
Once cooled, transfer these golden delights to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delectable for up to a week – if they last that long!
Bonus Tip: Serve these pralines alongside coffee or as a decadent after-dinner treat. Your friends and family will be begging for your secret recipe!
Helpful Tips for Perfect Vanilla Pecan Pralines
Perfectly Toast Pecans: Use a dry skillet and medium heat to bring out the nuts’ rich, deep flavor without burning them.
Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Stir the sugar mixture gently and avoid scraping the sides of the pan to keep pralines smooth and creamy.
Quick Dropping Technique: Work fast when spooning pralines onto the baking sheet to create uniform, attractive shapes before the mixture hardens.
Humidity Helper: On humid days, add a tablespoon of corn syrup to prevent pralines from becoming grainy or sticky.
Flavor Boost Option: Experiment by adding a pinch of sea salt or a dash of bourbon to enhance the traditional praline taste with a modern twist.
Storing Vanilla Pecan Pralines for Later
Best Things to Serve with Vanilla Pecan Pralines
Ways to Twist Vanilla Pecan Pralines
Vanilla Pecan Pralines Q&A
Pralines are traditional Southern candies made by cooking sugar, butter, and milk together, then adding nuts like pecans. They’re sweet, creamy treats with a rich caramel-like flavor.
Toasting pecans brings out their natural oils and deepens their nutty flavor. It adds a richer, more complex taste to the pralines and enhances the overall recipe.
Use a candy thermometer to check for 235F (soft-ball stage). If you don’t have one, drop a small amount of mixture into cold water – it should form a soft, pliable ball when ready.
Graininess often happens when sugar crystalizes. Avoid stirring too much during cooking and make sure to use a clean, dry utensil when working with the sugar mixture.
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Vanilla Pecan Pralines Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 18 1x
Description
Sweet Southern charm meets confectionery magic in these classic Vanilla Pecan Pralines, delivering rich caramel notes with buttery pecan crunch. Creamy, indulgent treats will transport you straight to New Orleans’ delightful culinary landscape, inviting pure pleasure with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Main Sweet Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) light brown sugar, packed
Dairy Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
Flavor and Nut Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups (200 g) pecan halves, toasted
Instructions
- Prepare a clean, flat workspace by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, creating a smooth surface for cooling the pralines.
- Enhance the pecans’ flavor profile by gently toasting them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir the halves continuously for 2-3 minutes until a rich, nutty aroma develops, then transfer to a separate dish.
- Craft the candy base by combining granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, and butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, stirring intermittently to ensure even melting and prevent scorching.
- Monitor the sugar syrup carefully, allowing it to reach a rolling boil without disturbing the mixture. Attach a candy thermometer and continue cooking until the temperature precisely hits 235F (112C), indicating the soft-ball stage.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately introduce vanilla extract, creating a fragrant swirl. Fold in the toasted pecans with swift, gentle motions to ensure each nut is completely coated with the glossy caramel mixture.
- Work expeditiously to shape the pralines, using a spoon to carefully drop generous dollops onto the prepared baking sheet. The mixture will begin to solidify quickly, so timing is crucial for perfect formation.
- Allow the pralines to rest and set completely at room temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes, giving them time to develop their signature smooth, crystalline texture.
- Once fully cooled and set, transfer the pralines to an airtight container, where they will maintain their delicate crunch and rich flavor for up to one week at room temperature.
Notes
- Carefully line your baking sheet to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Toasting pecans amplifies their nutty flavor and creates a deeper, more complex taste profile for your pralines.
- Work swiftly when dropping pralines onto the sheet, as the mixture hardens quickly and can become grainy if you hesitate.
- For a smoother texture, use a candy thermometer precisely and avoid stirring during the critical heating stage to prevent sugar crystallization.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 18
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Jenna Stewart
Head Chef & Recipe Innovator
Expertise
Farm-to-Table Cooking; Seasonal Menu Development; Visual Plating Techniques; Flavor Layering and Simple Prep Hacks.
Education
The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY
Jenna Stewart is the inventive spirit behind many of our standout dishes at Pro of Delicious Creations. A proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she built her skills mastering both classic recipes and fresh, modern twists.
Now, Jenna celebrates the beauty of seasonal, local ingredients, often sourced from her garden and nearby markets, to create recipes that are bursting with flavor yet easy to follow. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jenna loves exploring nature on hikes and discovering new treasures at local co-ops.