Pralines are a tantalizing combination of brown sugar and pecans and a classic southern treat. With our easy pecan praline recipe you can make this melt-in-your-mouth candy at home anytime in less than an hour!
Melt in Your Mouth Pecan Candy
As a kid, I wasn’t a big fan of nuts in my desserts. I was more of a purist…just give me straight chocolate!
However, after living in the south for 15 years now, I can truly say that they’ve kind of grown on me. Especially pecans! Which is a good thing considering pecans are ubiquitous in southern desserts like Texas Sheet Cake!
I never really understood the appeal of pralines at first when I moved here. I still went right for the chocolate when the dessert tray came around.
And then I tried my first praline.
Oh-emm-geee…
They literally melt in your mouth!!
THIS is what I’d been missing out on?!
Lesson learned!!
This homemade pecan praline recipe is surprisingly easy. You don’t have to be an expert in the kitchen to make them and it only takes about an hour from start to finish.
But the results will taste like you spent all day on them!
Related: For another delicious homemade candy recipe, try our Heavenly Nut and Honey Candy too!
What are Pralines?
Pralines are a traditional southern candy with brown sugar and nuts (often pecans) as the main ingredients. There is also usually cream or milk involved to add depth and creaminess.
The texture is a bit tricky to describe, because pralines start out as crunchy and even crumbly when you bite into them. However, they literally melt in your mouth for a heavenly dessert experience.
It’s easy to see why pralines are such a beloved delicacy! It’s also one of those desserts where everyone seems to have their own version of the recipe that is the “right” way to do it — evaporated milk vs. cream, pecan halves vs. chopped pecans, etc.
This is our favorite version because it’s easy and delicious! Though I’d love to hear how your family makes pralines, so if you have a special twist please do share in the comments!
Praline Ingredients
Affiliate links provided for your convenience in re-creating this recipe; read disclosure policy here.
- 1 1/2 cups pecans (Halved or chopped)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (cubed)
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk (not the same as sweetened condensed milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Kitchen Supplies Used
- Large saucepot
- Candy thermometer
- Cookie scoop
- Muffin tin
- Cupcake liners – since you’re removing the liners before serving, I recommend reusable non-stick silicone baking cups. We LOVE them!!
How to Make Pecan Candy with Condensed Milk
Prepare a muffin tin by filling with cupcake liners; set aside.
Add all ingredients to a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir consistently as you bring to a boil.
Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature — when it reads 235-240°F remove pan from heat. (This should take about 10 minutes or so).
Use wooden spoon to vigorously stir the mixture, so that it thickens as it cools and starts to have a cloudier appearance. This should take anywhere from 2-5 minutes.
While the mixture is still hot, use a cookie scoop to portion out the praline mixture into your muffin tin. You want to make sure to cover the bottom of each cupcake liner.
Allow to cool completely until firm.
Remove the cupcake liner before serving.
Why Are My Pralines Sticky?
Like any homemade candy, it’s all about reaching the optimal temperature and cooking time.
If you cook them too long, praline candies will be brittle and crumbly. If you don’t cook them long enough, they will be sticky and perhaps even a bit melty.
That’s why it’s so important to have a candy thermometer on hand and keep a close eye on it so you won’t have to do-over!
How Long Do Pralines Last?
If kept in a cool, dry place, pralines can last up to 2-3 weeks. You don’t need to keep them refrigerated.
They won’t necessarily go “bad,” but after a couple weeks, they start to lose their creamy texture and may become a little grainy. You’ll know they are past their prime when they start to turn white or cloudy.
Honestly, mine never last that long anyway! 😉
Easy Praline Recipe (Printable Copy)
If you liked this recipe, please rate it!
Easy Pecan Praline Recipe
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Muffin tin
- cupcake liners
- Wooden spoon
- Candy thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pecans Halved or chopped
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter cubed
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk not sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Prepare a muffin tin by filling with cupcake liners; set aside.
- Add all ingredients to a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir consistently as you bring to a boil.
- Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature — when it reads 235-240°F remove pan from heat. (This should take about 10 minutes or so).
- Use wooden spoon to vigorously stir the mixture, so that it thickens as it cools and starts to have a cloudier appearance. This should take anywhere from 2-5 minutes.
- While the mixture is still hot, use a cookie scoop to portion out the praline mixture into your muffin tin. You want to make sure to cover the bottom of each cupcake liner.
- Allow to cool completely until firm.
- Remove the cupcake liner before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin our Pecan Praline Recipe on Pinterest:
If you love pecans, try these desserts too!
Gluten Free Pecan Toffee Cookies
- Cowboy Caviar - March 24, 2023
- Bunny Bait - March 22, 2023
- 20 Thrifty Kitchen Hacks - March 21, 2023
Barb says
I don’t have muffin tins so I just put them on parchment paper.. husband loved them. They probably look nicer if you use a muffin tin though.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
So glad they were a hit!
Kathy says
Thank you so much for a simple recipe. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool so I can eat one!
Kat Smith says
I do the same only I use waxed paper
Bonnie says
Being a praline lover, a quick way to make this delicacy sounded great. This just didn’t seem to have the same buttery richness to me. It was nice but just missed the depth of a regular praline.
Teresa says
Can you use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I haven’t tried coconut milk, so can’t say for sure. It might not be the correct texture.
April L Pulling says
What would happen if I used salted butter? That’s all I have at the moment?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It would probably be just fine, perhaps a bit saltier taste though. I usually recommend unsalted for desserts, but you can use salted in a pinch.
Carolyn Myles says
I am trying to make pecan praline candy but it don’t get hard fo me.Please tell me what I am doing wrong.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It’s not supposed to be crunchy or hard, this is a soft candy. So you might have gotten it right after all!