Southern 3-Ingredient Pecan Pralines
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
1. Prep
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Set aside (you’ll need to work fast later)
2. Cook the mixture
- In a saucepan, combine: brown sugar + heavy cream
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly
- Bring to a gentle boil and continue cooking for about 3–5 minutes
- The mixture should thicken slightly (caramel-like)
Traditional pralines are made by boiling sugar and cream into a caramel base before adding pecans
3. Add pecans
- Stir in pecans
- Keep stirring for 2–3 minutes until mixture thickens and loses its glossy look
4. Shape quickly
- Spoon small clusters onto the prepared parchment paper
- Work quickly—they harden fast!
5. Cool & set
- Let sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes
- They will firm up into soft, creamy candy
Tips for perfect pralines
- Don’t stop stirring (important for smooth texture)
- Work fast once it thickens—it sets quickly
- If overcooked, they may turn grainy
What to expect
- Sweet, creamy caramel flavor
- Crunchy pecans
- Soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture
Classic Southern pralines are known for their rich caramel coating and nutty crunch