Description
These Authentic Southern Vanilla Pecan Pralines are a melt-in-your-mouth Southern candy made with toasted pecans, creamy vanilla, and rich caramelized sugars. This easy praline recipe is perfect for holiday gifts, dessert trays, or when you’re craving a traditional Southern sweet.
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1.5 cups pecan halves
1 pinch salt
Instructions
1. Line a flat surface with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, and butter.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 236°F on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage).
4. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract, salt, and pecan halves.
5. Continue stirring until the mixture becomes creamy and begins to thicken.
6. Quickly spoon the mixture into dollops onto the prepared parchment paper.
7. Let cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes or until fully set.
Notes
Always stir constantly while boiling to prevent scorching.
Toasting the pecans before adding enhances their flavor beautifully.
Work fast when spooning the candy to shape before it hardens.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 praline
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg