New Orleans Pecan Pralines Recipes

PECAN PRALINES, NEW ORLEANS SCHOOL OF COOKING

Steps:

• NOTE: To roast pecans, bake them on a sheet pan at 275 for 20-25 minutes, until slightly browned and fragrant.
• Combine all ingredients and bring to a softball stage (238-240 degrees), stirring constantly. Soft ball stage is also achieved when you place a spoonful of sugar mixture into a glass of water and it sticks to the side.
• Remove from heat.
• Beat with a wooden spoon until mixture thickens, becomes creamy and cloudy, and pecans stay suspended in mixture.
• Spoon out on buttered aluminum foil or parchment paper.

NEW ORLEANS-STYLE PRALINES

Steps:

• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Have 2 small spoons ready for scooping. Bring the cream, sugar, corn syrup and orange zest to a gentle simmer in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk or wooden spoon (do not let the cream mixture boil over). Simmer, stirring, until the mixture is thickened and light brown in color and a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F (soft-ball stage), 20 to 30 minutes (start by stirring occasionally, then switch to stirring constantly when the mixture starts to stick to the bottom of the pan). Stir in the pecans and salt; the temperature will drop at least 5 degrees F to 10 degrees F.
• Continue to simmer, stirring, until the mixture begins to pull away from the sides of the pan (the thermometer should register 246 degrees F to 247 degrees F). To test for doneness, drop a quarter-size amount onto a prepared baking sheet: The mixture should hold a rounded shape and look dull; if it runs out flat, continue cooking.
• Use the small spoons to spoon about quarter-size mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Let sit until cool, set and dry, 30 minutes to 1 hour. If the pralines are still too soft to pick up after a few hours, let them sit in a cool, dry place, uncovered, for 1 or 2 days. Once dry, store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

PECAN PRALINES

Steps:

• Generously butter baking sheets.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, white sugar, water and butter. Bring to a rapid boil and stir in pecans. Continue to cook and stir until large bubbles form on the surface, pecans begin to look sugary and mixture just begins to color. Remove from heat and drop by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared sheets. Let cool completely.

BOURBON PECAN PRALINES

Steps:

• Grease 2 baking sheets; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in sugars, then the cream; cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 236° (soft-ball stage), about 20 minutes. , Remove from the heat; stir in the pecan halves, chopped pecans and bourbon. Immediately drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Let stand until pralines are set and no longer glossy. Store in an airtight container.

CREAMY NEW ORLEANS PRALINES

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Optional Toasted Pecans:.
• 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.