By Daniel Fox
Have you ever tried to make true southern pecan pralines? You know they taste so sinfully rich and decadent, but just how easy are they to make? Surprisingly, pecan pralines are actually pretty simple. Just about anyone that has a fairly decent grasp on basic cooking skills can create a batch of these delicious candies. Pecan pralines are pretty much a basic mixture of butter, cream, and sugar.
Pecan Pralines:
· 1 tsp Vanilla
· 2 cups Pecans
· 1 cup Buttermilk
· 2 cups Sugar
· 1 tsp Baking Soda
Mix together buttermilk, sugar, and baking soda in a large pot. Lay a sheet of wax paper out on a flat surface close to your stove. Put the pot over medium heat and, stirring constantly, allow the mixture to reach a "soft ball stage". To determine if the mixture is at a "soft ball stage" take a cold glass of water and drop a bit of the mixture into the water. A "soft ball" should form. The color should be a darker light brown. Remove the pot from heat and mix in the vanilla. Continue stirring until the mixture begins to thicken (about five minutes). The brown color should get darker. Add the pecans and continue stirring until the mixture is slightly thicker (about one - two minutes). Spoon the pralines onto the wax paper. If the mixture starts to run, you did not wait long enough, but it's fine, your pralines will just be a bit thin. If the mixture starts to crystallize and harden, you have waited too long. That's fine, too. Just try better next time. * If the mixture starts hardening too quickly, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of warm water to thin the mixture. Allow the pralines to cool and enjoy.
Some recipes use brown sugar, cream, and butter in addition or to or instead of the ingredients listed in this pecan praline recipe and for a more creole tasting pecan praline try rum flavoring instead of vanilla. You may have to try the recipe a few times to get the "feel" of it, but it is well worth the effort. And you may need to watch for the hot mixture popping up and burning you. Overall, pecan pralines are a fairly easy candy to make – compared to some others.
Pecan pralines are woven in the history of the coastal south and their unique flavor has been around since the french settlers in New Orleans – only then the candies were made with almonds. Pecans – which grew naturally in abundance – were so readily available that it seemed only natural to tweak the recipe just a bit and add pecans instead of almonds and the Crole or Southern style pecan praline was born.
Here's a pecan praline recipe with a bit of a kick in it…
Pecan Pralines:
*1 cup pecans
*1/4 cup heavy cream
*1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
*1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1/2 pound) light brown sugar
*1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*1 teaspoon bourbon
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread the pecans on a cookie sheet, and place in the oven for 3 minutes. For even toasting, turn the tray, front to back. Toss the nuts with a metal spatula and bake for another 3 minutes. You'll know they're done when they give off their fragrant aroma, and be sure to check them so they don't become overbaked or charred. Line a cookie sheet with baking parchment. Fit a heavy-bottomed saucepan with a candy thermometer . Over high heat, cook the cream, butter, and brown sugar to 240 degrees F (soft ball). If necessary, stir once to help dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and let sit for 15 seconds. Carefully (it may sputter) stir in the vanilla, bourbon, and toasted pecans. Vigorously stir with a spoon for 10 seconds, until the mixture looks creamy and slightly thickened. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet. Let cool for 20 minutes.
Hope you have fun trying these delicious pecan praline recipes… Enjoy!!
Tanner’s Pecan is proud to offer a variety of holiday gift baskets, peanut butter fudge, chocolate pecan pie, pecan pralines, roasted pecans, and chocolate fudge. Visit Tanner’s Pecans today for the best selection of Pecan Pralines and Pecans.
Source:www.isnare.com |
