Texas Pecan Pralines

Name: Texas Pecan Pralines
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: about 2-1/4 pounds.
Cuisine: North America, Mexican
Ingredients: 3 teaspoons butter; 1/2 cup butter, cubed; 2 cups sugar; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1 cup half-and-half cream; 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk; 1 tablespoon light corn syrup; Dash salt; 3 cups pecan halves; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Cook: 30 min. + chilling YIELD: about 2-1/4 pounds.

My pecan praline recipe is special to me for I received it from my mother, who was an excellent cook! I also am a Texas Aggie Mom and I use pecans from a South Texas Aggie grower that our Aggie Mom's club has purchased from for many years. The quality is outstanding and far better than you will find in any grocery store. —Carol Jones, Blue Ridge, Texas

Ingredients

3 teaspoons butter
1/2 cup butter, cubed
2 cups sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
Dash salt
3 cups pecan halves
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Line 3 baking sheets with foil and grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter each; set aside.
2. In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt cubed butter. Stir in sugars, cream, milk, corn syrup and salt; cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 236° (soft-ball stage), about 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Cool, without stirring, to 170°, about 20 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixture just begins to thicken but is still glossy, about 2 minutes.
4. Quickly drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Let stand until pralines are set and no longer glossy. Refrigerate until completely set, about 1 hour. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 praline: 139 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.