Delicious, Easy Southern Pecan Pralines are a delicious and creamy Southern candy thats ready in about 30 minutes. Creamy & crunchy, theyre made with basic ingredients (butter, heavy cream , pecans, and brown sugar !). No candy thermometer and no hassle!
Since I live in the deep South, next door to Louisiana, Ive been eating pecan pralines for as long as I can remember. As far as sweets go, theyre a staple around the holidays, and in New Orleans, theyre a staple year-round.
Every person you meet has an opinion on how pralines should taste and whether you should use chopped pecans or pecan halves and what kind of texture is perfect (most prefer them creamy!).
For years and years, Ive made pecan praline candy, but never Easy Pecan Pralines. You see – the pecan praline recipes I used in the past required candy thermometers or microwaving with just the right bowl and a wooden spoon. They were always finicky and didnt always turn out just right. And I thought that my way was the only way to make them.
However, last year, after my pralines recipe failed me again, I decided I had to find a more reliable recipe.
According to legend, pralines were brought to the United States (the South in particular) by French settlers in the seventeenth century.
Currently here in the Southern United States, the short answer is that pralines are a type of candy where nuts are covered in a cooked sugar mixture and it sets up to a soft candy.
More specifically, pralines have brown sugar (usually all brown or a mixture), nuts (most commonly pecans), cream or milk, and vanilla. The most popular pralines seem to be creamy, smooth, and melt-in-your-mouth soft. But some pralines are harder and more crunchy.
After my many failures, I started searching and trying and I finally landed on an easy praline recipe that works and never fails me!
From the first time I made this easy recipe, I had success. Ive made them many, many times since then and theyre always so good! By and far this is the best pecan pralines Ive ever made.
It probably had something to do with my whole family being there and I was running my mouth the entire time I was making them… Im sure I mismeasured something or didnt let them boil quite a full minute. I dont know – itll forever be a mystery.
Oh wait – but I should make it clear that the day wasnt a total loss. Every single crumb of the easy pralines was still eaten – we just used spoons to scoop them up!
You see… this big ole family of mine wouldnt let pralines go to waste – even if they were sticky!! Hahaha.,.. I love my family!
Anyway, I made candy/cookie trays this past Christmas season and in every tray, I included this sweet treat. I thought it was about time I shared the recipe for the best praline youll ever eat!
And if you love this classic southern dessert as much as we do, also try these perfect Praline Cookies. Theyre insanely easy and delicious!
What is the difference between a pecan and a praline? A pecan is a type of nut while a praline is a type of candy that is made with sugar and nuts. While pecans are the most common type of nut used in pralines, almonds or hazelnuts will work too.
Pralines are thought to have originated in seventeenth-century France when the chef of César, Duc de Choiseul, Comte du Plessis-Praslin coated almonds with sugar. While sugared nuts were already enjoyed throughout the world, the candy termed “praline” became a popular treat in France, in part because of their lucrative sugar colonies in the Caribbean. The French settlers in Louisiana brought the praline tradition with them.
African-American cooks working in the French colonists kitchens transformed the sugared-almond praline. Because of their abundance, pecans replaced almonds and milk was added. The final product was a sweet, creamy patty filled with pecans.
As the tourism industry expanded in the early 1900s and praline stores opened throughout the French Quarter, many businesses employed a racist, “mammy” caricature of the praline women to sell their candies. Some businesses placed life-sized s of “praline mammies” in front of their stores to attract customers. Many tourists posed themselves alongside these gross depictions of the praline vendors.
The stereotypical has all but disappeared from New Orleans streets, but the praline remains one of the citys most sought-after foods as well as a popular treat made in home kitchens throughout New Orleans and other parts of the South. In the 21st century, entrepreneurial vendors continue to conduct their own business, often using social media. African-American fans of the delicacy often use the term “pecan candy” or “praline” to refer to the treat.
African-American women throughout the 1800s could be found selling pralines in various parts of New Orleans. The praline women would become the most popular of New Orleans street vendors, and they were often found around Jackson Square.
Pro Tips and Notes…
- Work quickly! As mentioned above, this is not a pecan candy recipe where you can drag your feet. If the mixture gets too cool and begins to set up in the pan, add a teaspoon or two of hot milk and stir until creamy, Then begin dipping it out.
- Butter. You can use unsalted butter instead of salted butter if you prefer. If you choose to do this, I do recommend adding a pinch of salt to the recipe!
- Pecans. I love pecan halves in these classic southern treats, but if you want, you can use chopped pecans. The texture will be a little different but the amazing flavor will still be there!
- Dont trash them! While this is by and far the easiest pralines recipe Ive ever made, nothing is 100% foolproof. If your pralines dont set up, or they get dry and crumbly, dont toss them out! Eat them with a spoon, ball them up and dip in chocolate, or chop them up and use as a topping on cake or ice cream!
While I truly hope this recipe will be foolproof and end up being one of your favorite recipes, theres always a chance it wont. As with all candy making, pralines are finicky and temperamental.
So maybe my best tip is… be patient and have extra ingredients on hand so youre prepared for a round two or three if your first try doesnt work out. However, in the FAQ below, I do give you tips for how to (hopefully) fix your first batch if it doesnt work out! The good news is – you can still be eating the (not-so-perfect) pralines while you work out the kinks.
PRALINES- easy candy recipe with pecans in every bite ❤️
FAQ
Is pecan candy the same as praline?
Why are they called pralines?
What is the difference between butter pecan and pecan praline?
Is pecan candy good for you?
Are pralines and pecans the same thing?
Pecans and pralines both have their own unique flavor but are often mixed up as the same thing. It is easy to understand why considering pralines are often made with pecans. However, there is a big difference between the two, and it is important for anyone who is a fan of these delicious treats to know what sets them apart.
What is the difference between raw pecans and roasted pecans?
Roasted walnuts have been exposed to dry heat, which improves flavor, aroma, and crunchy texture. In some places it can be fried, which is not recommended as it greatly worsens its nutritional content. But raw and dry roasted nuts have very similar amounts of fat, carbs and protein, but roasted nuts have slightly more fat and calories per gram due to moisture loss during roasting.
Can you use pecans to make praline candy?
You can still use those nuts to make praline candy, but pecans have become the first choice in many praline recipes. How did pralines become so popular in the south? Well, pecans are a popular southern nut, so it’s no wonder candied pecans like pecan pralines rose to the top of the favorites list.
What is a Pecan Praline?
A pecan praline is often made with brown sugar and pecans. Did you know, there are three main types of pralines? The American praline, particularly southern style, uses pecans, cream or milk, sugar, and vanilla. They’re usually smoother and have been described as the melt-in-your-mouth sweet treat.