Old Fashioned Pralines Recipe

Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of homemade Old Fashioned Pralines! This recipe is perfect for the holiday season and surprisingly easy, even for first-time praline makers. Learn how to create these classic Southern candies with perfectly roasted pecans and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Detailed instructions and precise measurements ensure praline perfection every time!

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 60 mins

Calories 165.6 kcal

Protein 0g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Old Fashioned Pralines

1 cup granulated sugar
Light Brown Sugar
Milk
¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
1 cup pecans (roasted, optional)
Vanilla

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How to Make Old Fashioned Pralines

**Roast Pecans (Optional):** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread pecans on a baking sheet and roast for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool completely.
**Combine Ingredients:** In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup butter, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
**Reach Soft-Ball Stage:** Stir the mixture constantly, scraping down the sides of the pan as needed, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage (235-240°F on a candy thermometer). This usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
**Remove from Heat & Incorporate Pecans:** Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1 cup of roasted pecans.
**Cool and Thicken:** Continue stirring until the mixture cools slightly, thickens, becomes creamy and loses its shine. The pecans should be evenly distributed throughout.
**Spoon and Set:** Drop rounded tablespoons of the praline mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or aluminum foil.
**Cool Completely:** Allow the pralines to cool and harden completely at room temperature (at least 2 hours) before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

1 g

Sugar

122g

Fat

15g

Carbs

10g

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Old Fashioned Pralines?

Old Fashioned Pralines takes about 75 minutes from start to finish — roughly 15 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Old Fashioned Pralines?

Old Fashioned Pralines has approximately 165.6 calories per serving, with about 0 g protein, 10 g carbohydrates and 7 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Old Fashioned Pralines?

The key ingredients for Old Fashioned Pralines are Sugar, Light Brown Sugar, Milk, Butter, Pecans, Vanilla. See the full list with measurements above.