Mardi Gras Pecan Pralines (Printable)
Toasted pecans coated in creamy caramel, capturing festive Southern flavors in a sweet treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Praline Base
01 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
02 - 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup whole milk
04 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
05 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Flavor & Nuts
06 - 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted
07 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
# How To Make It:
01 - Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ready your cooling station.
02 - In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, butter, and salt. Stir constantly until butter melts and mixture comes to a boil.
03 - Attach a candy thermometer to the pan. Continue stirring and cook until the mixture reaches 238°F (soft-ball stage), about 8–10 minutes.
04 - Remove from heat; immediately stir in pecan halves and vanilla extract. Continue stirring vigorously by hand for 2–3 minutes, until mixture thickens and becomes creamy but is still pourable.
05 - Quickly drop tablespoon-sized mounds onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart to prevent sticking.
06 - Allow pralines to cool and set completely at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving or storing.
# Tips from dashanddishes:
01 -
- These pralines strike that perfect balance between creamy caramel and satisfying crunch, making them impossible to stop at just one
- The recipe comes together in under 30 minutes but looks like you spent all day crafting something special for your Mardi Gras gathering
02 -
- If your sugar mixture seizes and turns grainy, don't panic - just stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water and keep moving, it usually comes back together
- The stirring phase after removing from heat is crucial, and under-stirring will leave you with flat discs while over-stirring makes them impossible to scoop
03 -
- Dark brown sugar will give your pralines a more intense molasses flavor if you want to lean into that caramel profile
- A splash of bourbon added with the vanilla creates a sophisticated adult version that's become my new favorite variation