Make a batch of this buttery
nut delight to have on hand during the holidays.
Creamy Pecan
Pralines
- 3 tablespoons butter,
divided use
2 cups heavy cream
4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Coat a medium saucepan
with 1 tablespoon butter; add cream and heat over medium-high
heat. When boiling, add brown sugar and stir rapidly until dissolved.
Stir in pecans and vanilla; continue to cook over medium heat,
stirring frequently.
- When mixture reaches soft-ball
stage (see note), remove from heat and quickly beat in remaining
butter. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper, stirring mixture
occasionally to keep it soft.
- Remove pralines from wax
paper before completely cooled. Store in an airtight container
Makes 32 pieces.
Note: 'Soft-ball stage'
is a test for candies describing the point at which a drop of
boiling syrup immersed in cold water forms a soft ball that flattens
of its own accord when removed. On a candy thermometer, the soft-ball
stage is between 234° and 240°F.