Praline Recipes

Steps:

• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Have 2 small spoons ready for scooping. Bring the cream, sugar, corn syrup and orange zest to a gentle simmer in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk or wooden spoon (do not let the cream mixture boil over). Simmer, stirring, until the mixture is thickened and light brown in color and a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F (soft-ball stage), 20 to 30 minutes (start by stirring occasionally, then switch to stirring constantly when the mixture starts to stick to the bottom of the pan). Stir in the pecans and salt; the temperature will drop at least 5 degrees F to 10 degrees F.
• Continue to simmer, stirring, until the mixture begins to pull away from the sides of the pan (the thermometer should register 246 degrees F to 247 degrees F). To test for doneness, drop a quarter-size amount onto a prepared baking sheet: The mixture should hold a rounded shape and look dull; if it runs out flat, continue cooking.
• Use the small spoons to spoon about quarter-size mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Let sit until cool, set and dry, 30 minutes to 1 hour. If the pralines are still too soft to pick up after a few hours, let them sit in a cool, dry place, uncovered, for 1 or 2 days. Once dry, store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan combine the sugar, brown sugar, and cream and bring to a boil. Cook on medium heat to softball stage (238 degrees F), then add the butter and pecans. Continue cooking until hardball stage (245 degrees F). Spoon large dollops of it onto a silicone mat or parchment lined baking tray. The pralines will spread and crystallize as they cool.

Steps:

• Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring mixture constantly.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes, or until a candy thermometer registers 236 degrees (soft ball stage).
• Remove mixture from heat, and add butter (do not stir).
• Let stand until candy thermometer reaches 150 degrees.
• Stir in pecans and vanilla, using a wooden spoon, and stir constantly until candy begins to thicken.
• Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls, working rapidly, onto wax paper.
• Let stand until firm.

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and bring to soft ball stage (230 to 240 degrees), stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir until mixture thickens, becomes creamy and cloudy, and pecans stay suspended in mixture.
• Spoon out on aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• Makes approximately fifteen to twenty pralines, depending on size.
• Note: To roast pecans, bake them on a sheet pan at 275 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes until slightly brown.

Steps:

• In a deep, 2-quart heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar and milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugars melt. Cook, stirring frequently, to keep mixture from bubbling over, until a candy thermometer reads 228 degrees. Add the pecans and butter and stir until butter melts. Continue cooking until thermometer reaches 232 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Allow to cool, stirring occasionally, until the mixture loses some of its gloss.
• Spoon the praline mixture onto parchment paper, forming 24 thin patties, each about 2 inches in diameter. Let cool at least a half hour. Wrap individually in wax-paper squares.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Spread pecans out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fragrant. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, stir together the confectioners' sugar, white sugar, buttermilk, heavy cream, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. When the mixture begins to boil, start stirring gently with a wooden spoon, and continue cooking until the mixture is slightly above the soft ball stage to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Remove from heat, and stir in baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will expand some while stirring. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes, then stir in pecans. Keep stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture loses its gloss. Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment paper that has been coated with butter flavored non-stick spray. Allow to cool completely.

Steps:

• Have ready 4 oiled large baking sheets. In a heavy 2-quart saucepan combine the sugars, the cream, the salt, and the cream of tartar, cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring and washing down any sugar crystals clinging to the side with a brush dipped in cold water, until the sugar is dissolved, and boil it over moderately high heat, undisturbed, until a candy thermometer registers 238°F. Remove the pan from the heat, let the mixture cool until the candy thermometer registers 220°F., and stir in the butter and the vanilla. Beat the mixture until it is creamy and stir in the pecan halves. Working quickly, drop the mixture by tablespoon onto the baking sheets and let the pralines cool. Remove the pralines carefully and store them, wrapped individually in wax paper, in airtight container in a cool place. The pralines keep for 2 weeks.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, egg, and salt until well mixed. Stir in the melted butter and mix well. Stir in the pecans.

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Cook over moderatly high heat for five minutes.
• Stir in the almonds and continue cooking, stirring almost constantly with a wire whisk. The syrup will become granular for a brief time. Continue cooking for a total of about five minutes or until the syrup becomes a dark caramel color.
• Meanwhile, brush a cold flat surface (preferably marble or glass, not wood) with oil and wipe with a paper towel to leave a light film of oil. Pour the caramelized almonds onto the surface. Let stand until thoroughly cold. The praline may be cracked and eaten at this point. Or it may be pulverized.
• Break up the caramelized almonds into pieces. Pulverize the pieces. This may be done two ways, using a rolling pin (which is more traditional) or a food processor. If you use a food processor, a little oil might come out of the almonds.