Pecan Pralines

Pecan pralines are the melt-in-your-mouth, classic Southern candy that's perfect to bring for any holiday gathering. The perfect cross between a cookie and a candy, these soft and chewy bites make for an ideal food gift anytime of year—who wouldn’t want homemade candy? If you’ve never tried your hand at making pralines, don’t stress! They’re not as difficult to make as you may think, and if you follow our top tips, you’ll ace this homemade sweet in no time.

What exactly is a praline?
Pralines are a delicious Southern caramel-like candy made with sugar, butter, vanilla, and some form of dairy (like heavy cream or evaporated milk, which is our choice). You can make them with any nut, but pecan is classic. They can range in texture from soft and chewy to hard and crunchy, depending on how long you cook them. We prefer ours on the softer side, which is reflected in our timing below.

Why are there white spots on my pralines?
Small white spots on pecan pralines is normal; it's part of the crystallization process while they're hardening. This doesn't affect the texture or flavor, so don't worry if it happens.

Some pro tips:
—Work quickly! This isn’t a recipe you walk away from, so have everything ready and nearby. You want to start scooping as soon as the mixture is ready.
— Use a candy thermometer. While you can eyeball, a candy thermometer will reduce your stress. Pralines go from a nice and silky texture to seized up in a matter of a minute or two, so it's important to monitor the temperature. If you don't monitor the temperature with a candy thermometer, your other option is to do the soft ball test: Drop a spoonful of hot syrup into a bowl of cold water. Gather the cooled syrup into a ball; if it easily forms into a ball in the cold water but flattens once removed, then it’s reached the soft-ball stage.
— Buy some spare ingredients if you're aiming for perfection. Pralines are finicky and temperamental, and you might have to make a few batches while you get used to making them. Be patient and enjoy the process!
— Have some hot water nearby if your pralines start to seize up. We found that adding a few drops of hot water saved our pralines when we overbeat the mixture and they started to harden up sooner than we wanted.

Storage.
Pecan pralines can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. No refrigeration needed. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.

Made these? Let us know how it went in the comments below.