The Best Southern New Orleans Pralines Recipe

New Orleans Pecan Pralines are iconic for their unique flavor and texture. The first-ever praline recipe was started in the heart of the bayou over 300 years ago. If you’re not from the Southeast United States, you might think of pecan pralines as hard, crunchy nuts coated in crystalized sugar served in a paper cone from streetcart vendors.

But the original praline mixture is more gooey, spooned out of a simmering pot, plopped onto a sheet pan, and cooled into a patty shape resembling a cookie. It’s so good that pecan praline has become a popular dessert topping and even has its own flavor in ice creams, cheesecakes, and sweet breads. They’re so highly regarded that some people would even prefer receiving these as a holiday gift instead of usual Christmas presents.

Since you are here and love pecan recipes, check out this Crumbl Pecan Pie Sugar Cookies Recipe, these Pecan Pie Bars, or this Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars Recipe.

Ingredients for this Southern Pralines Recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this pecan pralines recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

• Granulated White Sugar: sweetens the pecans to turn them into a candy.
• Light Brown Sugar: also sweetens the candy but adds a caramel-like flavor as well.
• Milk: combines with the sugar to make a syrupy and gooey sauce.
• Unsalted Butter: assist in combining the milk and sugar together.
• Pecans: are the star of the show. The soft and buttery texture makes it the perfect nut to be made into a dessert.
• Vanilla: adds a touch of flavor to this homemade candy.
• Salt: A tiny pinch of salt balances out the sweetness a ton!

Equipment

• Candy Thermometer: This is essential as you need to pay close attention to the correct temperature during the cooking and cooling stages.

How to make this New Orleans Pralines Recipe

This is how you can make this perfect praline recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions! 

1. Pull out a baking sheet pan and line it with greased parchment paper or wax paper. If you’re using wax paper, it’s advised to put a buffer underneath it such as newspaper so that the hot wax doesn’t ruin your pan.
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, achieving a “softball stage” (235-240 degrees F) I love using this thermometer. Do not go over this temperature, or the mixture will be too firm.
3. Remove from heat. Stir constantly so the hot sugar doesn’t crystalize, and keep stirring until the mixture becomes creamy and cloudy. You’ll know it’s ready when you can scrape your wooden spoon down the middle, and it takes a full second for the mixture to come back together. The pecans should stay suspended in the thick, saucy liquid.
4. Scoop and place individual globs onto the prepared sheet pan spaced an inch or two apart, and let cool completely to room temperature. Be careful not to eat it while it’s hot, as hot sugar can quickly burn your mouth.

Why do you need to make this Southern pecan pralines recipe?

• Homemade pralines are great to add to a cookie platter or bring to a cookie exchange during the holiday season.
• This sweet treat only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store.
• Transport yourself and the whole family to New Orleans with this authentic Creole recipe.
• You don’t even have to use pecans if you don’t want to. Customize this New Orleans pralines recipe for whatever type of nut you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

What does “soft ball stage” mean?

Soft-ball stage isn’t a baseball reference. It quite literally means when you transfer a small amount of syrup to cold water, it forms a soft, pliable ball. The temperature for this is 228 to 240 degrees F. At 245 to 250 degrees, the sugary syrup will form a hard, firm ball when dropped in cold water.

What Other Flavors Can I add to this New Orleans Pralines Recipe

• Roasted Pecan Pralines. Roast pecans first before turning them into pralines by baking them in the oven on a sheet pan at 275 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned and fragrant.
• Chocolate Pralines. Once the pralines are cooled on the baking sheet, pour melted chocolate on top of them and let it solidify.
• Cinnamon-Spiced Pralines. If you’re making these during the holidays, add a festive flair by including cinnamon and nutmeg into the mixture.

​In What ways can I Use this recipe?

Besides eating it as is, there are plenty of other delicious applications for the pralines.

• Make praline cookies​ by mixing the chopped up pecan pralines into cookie dough.
• Crush it up and use it as a topping for vanilla ice cream.
• Mix them into any bready cinnamon or spiced dessert such as cakes or muffins.

How to store this New Orleans Pralines Recipe

These pralines store really well, just at room temperature for one week. You can put them into an airtight container or ziplock bag. Or if you want to be fancier and use them as a gift, you get small sheet of plastic, fold it up over the pralines, and tie a string or bow at the top.

The Best New Orleans Pralines Recipe

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