Southern Pecan Candy Recipe

Southern Pecan Candy Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Unlike traditional pralines, this recipe is spread in a pan, then cut into squares. It is loaded with pecans and has the same sweet taste as pralines. The candy was in my mother's recipe collection and dates back to 1941.—June Moffett, Santa Ana, California

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Southern Pecan Candy Recipe

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 40 min. + cooling

Yield: 32 Servings

15 40 55

Ingredients

1 teaspoon butter plus 1/4 cup butter, cubed
3 cups sugar, divided
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil and grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside. In a large heavy skillet over medium-low heat, cook 1 cup sugar until melted. Do not stir. Reduce heat to low; cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown.
In a large saucepan, combine cream and remaining sugar. Slowly pour in cooked sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 236° (soft-ball stage). Transfer to a large bowl; stir in butter and baking soda. Cool until mixture reaches 110°.
Add vanilla. Beat until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in pecans. Quickly spread into prepared pan; cool completely. Using foil, lift candy out of pan. Discard foil. Store candy in an airtight container. Yield: about 2 pounds.

Editor's Note: We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Nutritional Facts 1 ounce equals 194 calories, 12 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 8 mg cholesterol, 20 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.

Originally published as Southern Pecan Candy in Taste of Home Christmas Annual Annual 2011, p161