Pecan Pralines
Introduction
Pecan pralines are a classic Southern confection made with brown sugar, butter, and pecans. They have a rich, caramel-like flavor and a chewy, nutty texture. Pralines are typically eaten as a candy or used as an ingredient in other desserts, such as ice cream or cakes.
Ingredients
1 cup (250 mL) brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) butter
1 cup (250 mL) pecans, chopped
1 teaspoon (5 mL) vanilla extract
Method
1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the brown sugar and butter, stirring frequently.
2. Once the mixture has melted and is bubbling, add the pecans and vanilla extract.
3. Continue to stir the mixture until the pecans are evenly coated and the mixture thickens and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan.
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5. Drop the mixture by the spoonful onto a sheet of wax paper or a silicone baking mat.
6. Let the pralines cool completely before handling or storing.
Potential changes & improvements
If you want a more traditional praline flavor, you can add a pinch of salt to the mixture.
For a chocolate twist, add a tablespoon (15 mL) of cocoa powder to the mixture before adding the pecans.
What other food it works well with
Pralines are often eaten as a candy on their own, but they can also be used as an ingredient in other desserts. Try them in ice cream, cakes, or as a topping for pancakes or waffles.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake when making pralines is not stirring the mixture frequently enough. This can cause the mixture to burn or the sugar to crystallize.
Another mistake is not letting the mixture cool slightly before dropping it by the spoonful onto the wax paper or silicone baking mat. If the mixture is too hot, it will spread out too much and will be difficult to form into traditional praline shape.
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 praline
Calories: 90
Fat: 5 g
Saturated fat: 2.5 g
Unsaturated fat: 2.5 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Sugar: 9 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 1 g
Allergens
Pecans