A rich cluster of pecans coated in a sweet toffee-like mixture of butter, sugar, and vanilla.
Old Fashioned Pecan Pralines
Every late summer my husband, son, and I make a day trip up to Minocqua. It is a quaint, touristy town full of vacationers. We love everything about it, but we especially like the old-fashioned candy store. Their showcase is full of every kind of candy and fudge you can imagine!
The best part about the candy store is the timeless charm. From their decor to the candy they sell, all of it reminds me of my Grandma. Who, by the way, made these Pecan Pralines for you!
Everything about our culture pushes change – from the way we dress to the way we decorate our homes. Social media is constantly trying to sell us on the next trend. We change even when we aren’t ready or don’t want to, just because of the pressure we feel.
Traditional experiences or food makes me think of my Grandparents, and how they don’t succumb to society’s pressures. They are content; secure in who they are and what they have and they aren’t competitive (unless it’s Bingo)!
If you like traditions too, then you’ll appreciate some of the baking my Grandma has done for you! Like this Easy Homemade Cherry Pie, Homemade Oatmeal Bread, or her famous Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!
What You’ll Need:
- 3 cups Brown Sugar, Firmly Packed
- 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 2 1/4 cup Pecan Halves
How to Make Pecan Pralines
- Lay out parchment paper on the counter top.
- In a 3 quart pan, combine 3 cups firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cream of tartar, 1/8 tsp salt, 2 tbsp butter, and 1 cup milk.
- Bring to a rolling boil over medium/high heat, stirring constantly.
- Put a candy thermometer into the mixture and reduce heat to medium, stirring occasionally until the temperature reaches 235 degrees.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in 1 tsp vanilla and 2 1/4 cup pecan halves. Stir just until it starts to thicken.
- Quickly drop spoonfuls onto the parchment paper and let harden.
Recipe Notes:
- Thick mixture – If the mixture starts to get too thick, place on a warm burner to soften.
- Over boiling – If you over boil the mixture and drop into spoonfuls, just pour the entire mixture onto the parchment paper and spread quickly. Let cool and break into pieces.
More Christmas Candy:
- Peanut Brittle
- Butter Toffee Pretzels
- Almond Bark Clusters
- Rolo Pretzel Turtles
- Candied Pecans
- 20 No Bake Christmas Treats for Kids
Pecan Pralines
Pecan Pralines, a rich cluster of pecans coated in a sweet toffee-like mixture of butter, sugar, and vanilla.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Brown Sugar, Firmly Packed
- 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 2 1/4 cup Pecan Halves
Instructions
- Lay out parchment paper on the counter top.
- In a 3 quart pan, combine firmly packed brown sugar, cream of tartar, salt, butter, and milk.
- Bring to a rolling boil over medium/high heat, stirring constantly.
- Put a candy thermometer into the mixture and reduce heat to medium, stirring occassionally until the temperature reaches 235 degrees.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla and pecan halves. Stir just until it starts to thicken.
- Quickly drop spoonfuls onto the parchment paper and let harden.
