Creamy New Orleans Pralines

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped pecans
• 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 6 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

• 1 in a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cream, milk, butter, and salt. cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, to 230°f lower heat slightly if the mixture threatens to boil over.
• 2 add the pecans and continue cooking, stirring constantly, to 236°f the mixture should form a soft ball when a little is dropped in cold water. remove from the heat and add vanilla; let stand for about 5 minutes. stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is thickened and slightly creamy, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
• 3 using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, spoon the pralines onto a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper. if the mixture becomes grainy, heat and stir over medium heat for a few seconds, or until it can be easily scooped and dropped.
• 4 optional toasted pecans:.
• 5 heat oven to 350°. spread chopped pecans out on a large baking sheet. bake for about 5 minutes, or until the chopped pecans are lightly browned and aromatic. this can also be achieved by microwaving pecans on a microwave-safe plate in 30 second increments.