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New Orleans pecan pralines on parchment paper

Creamy brown sugar pecan candy patties

New Orleans Pralines

New Orleans Pralines

30 minMedium

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

30 min

Servings

24

24 pralines

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Moderate

$$

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New Orleans Pralines

Creamy brown sugar pecan candy patties

Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pecan pralines with a creamy brown sugar base. The signature candy of the French Quarter, sold on every street corner.

10m

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

30m

Total Time

24

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Moderate $$

Cost

DessertVegetarianGluten-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

June 22, 2024(Updated April 12, 2026)

New Orleans pralines are nothing like the crunchy European version—they're creamy, crumbly, and loaded with toasted pecans. One bite and you're standing on Bourbon Street.

Why This Recipe Works

Cooking to soft-ball stage and then beating the mixture as it cools creates the signature creamy, slightly grainy texture. Working fast to drop them before they set is the tricky part.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1.5 cups pecan halves, toasted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine both sugars and cream in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugars dissolve.

  2. 2

    Add butter and bring to a boil. Cook until a candy thermometer reads 236°F (soft-ball stage).

  3. 3

    Remove from heat, add vanilla and pecans, and stir vigorously for 2-3 minutes until mixture begins to thicken and turn opaque.

  4. 4

    Working quickly, drop by spoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets, forming 3-inch patties.

  5. 5

    Let cool completely until set, about 20 minutes. The pralines should be creamy and slightly crumbly.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream

  • Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving

Substitutions

Heavy creamEvaporated milk

Produces equally creamy pralines

PecansAlmonds or cashews

Not traditional but both make delicious pralines

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Vanilla Extract

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the vanilla matters

For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.

This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.

  • Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
  • Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes

Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.

Shop vanilla extract for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Work fast once you start spooning—the mixture sets quickly and becomes too thick to drop.

  • If the mixture sets in the pot, add a tablespoon of hot water and stir over low heat to re-soften.

Storage

Store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

Reheating

Serve at room temperature. Not typically reheated.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (10mg) · 24 servings

Calories140
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein1g
Carbohydrates8g
Fat18g
Fiber30mg
Sugar1g
Sodium16g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce praline?
In New Orleans, it's "PRAH-leen." In the rest of the South, "PRAY-leen."
Why are my pralines too hard?
They were cooked past soft-ball stage. A few degrees makes the difference between creamy and hard.

Explore More

More DessertVegetarian RecipesGluten-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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