Description
Craving something sweet, creamy, and Southern-inspired? These Vanilla Pecan Pralines are a quick dessert or snack that melts in your mouth with rich brown sugar flavor, toasted pecans, and fragrant vanilla. Perfect for gifting, holiday spreads, or indulgent bites after dinner, this easy recipe requires no baking—just a stovetop and a little stirring. If you’re looking for quick dessert ideas, easy candy recipes, or holiday food ideas, this one’s a keeper.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 ½ cups light brown sugar, packed
¾ cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups pecan halves or chopped pecans
1 pinch salt
¼ teaspoon sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and toast pecans on a baking sheet for 6–8 minutes until fragrant. Let cool.
2. Line a baking sheet or surface with parchment paper or silicone mat; lightly grease if desired.
3. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cream, butter, and salt.
4. Stir continuously over medium heat until butter melts and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
5. Let the mixture boil gently while stirring often until it thickens—about 6–8 minutes—or reaches 235–240°F (soft-ball stage).
6. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and toasted pecans. Stir constantly for 2–3 minutes until the gloss begins to fade.
7. Quickly drop spoonfuls onto the prepared surface using two spoons or a cookie scoop.
8. Allow pralines to set at room temperature for 20–30 minutes until firm.
9. Once set, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Use a heavy-bottomed pan to prevent burning the sugar mixture.
Stir constantly after removing from heat to achieve a creamy, not gritty, texture.
Work fast when dropping the pralines—once it starts to set, it hardens in seconds!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 praline
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: easy candy, pralines, pecan pralines, holiday treats, Southern dessert