These New Orleans pralines have a buttery richness, the perfect balance of brown sugar sweetness, the distinctive flavor and crunch of pecans, and a hint of vanilla. These delectable treats offer a taste of Louisiana right in your own kitchen.

New Orleans pralines are a delightful treat and a staple around our house for the holidays! I was first introduced to these Southern delicacies by my good girlfriend from Louisiana. She has been whipping up batches of pecan pralines for as long as I can remember.
Over the years I have tried to replicate her family’s secret recipe. It took a couple of years, but I think I have finally mastered the art of making smooth, thin pralines and I’m excited to pass on the tradition and share this fantastic recipe with all of you.
A Nod to Aunt Sally’s Creole Pralines: For those familiar with the iconic Aunt Sally’s Creole Pralines in New Orleans, you’ll find a reminiscent charm in this recipe. If you’ve been on the lookout for a homemade version that captures that magic, look no further. This is the one!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
What are pralines?
Pralines are a type of confection made with sugar, butter, milk, and pecans. They are sweet, butter, and creamy with a fudgy texture that practically melts in your mouth. Also referred to as praline candy or pecan pralines, they are a Southern favorite, and especially popular in New Orleans.

Ingredients
- Pecans
- Light brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Butter
- Evaporated milk
- Vanilla extract

Note: I love thin pecan pralines that have a flat, smooth look. However, some people prefer thick, chunky pralines. It’s really a matter of personal preference. If you want yours to come out thick, use only 1/2 cup evaporated milk and let the mixture sit for a minute or two longer before spooning it out onto the sheet pan.
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
- Flavorings: Add a twist to your pralines by incorporating different flavorings. Consider using almond extract, caramel, or even a touch of bourbon for a unique variation.
- Texture Enhancers: To experiment with the texture, you can add ingredients like shredded coconut for extra chewiness.
- Salted vs. Unsalted Butter: Adjust the salt content based on the type of butter you use. If you use unsalted butter, you may want to add a pinch of salt in the recipe.
- Heavy Cream vs. Half and Half vs. Evaporated Milk:
- Heavy Cream: Using heavy cream in the recipe will yield pralines with a richer and creamier texture. The higher fat content in heavy cream contributes to a luscious mouthfeel, making the pralines more indulgent.
- Half and Half: Half and half is a blend of equal parts whole milk and cream. It provides a middle ground between heavy cream and milk, offering a balance of richness without being as heavy as pure cream. Pralines made with half and half will have a slightly lighter texture compared to those made with heavy cream.
- Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk has a creamy and slightly caramelized flavor due to the concentration process. It is less thick than heavy cream but richer than regular milk. Pralines made with evaporated milk have a smooth and velvety texture, with a nuanced sweetness and richness.
Tools you’ll need
To prepare this New Orleans Pralines recipe, you’ll need the following special equipment and tools:

How to make New Orleans pralines
Prep: Line a sheet pan with a silicone baking mat. Alternatively, you can use foil, just grease it down with a little cooking spray or butter. Then grab a spoon, grease that down with butter, and set it aside. You will use the spoon later to scoop the sticky praline mixture onto the sheet pan.

Boil & Whisk: In a heavy-bottom pot (the bigger, the better), throw in the butter, light brown and granulated sugar, and heavy cream. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot and set it over High heat. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugars dissolve. Cook until it reaches the “soft ball” stage at 235°F; this takes about 2 or 3 minutes.


Add Nuts and Vanilla: Once it reaches 235°F, stir in the pecans and vanilla. Continue boiling until the temp reaches the “hard ball” stage, at or around 250°F. Then, remove the pot from the heat and let the confection cool, undisturbed, for about 2 to 4 minutes.


Scoop: Grab the spoon you greased with butter and work quickly to scoop spoonfuls from the pot and transfer them onto your prepared sheet pan. The praline mixture will thicken up quickly and it will be more difficult to scoop.

Chill: Let your pralines cool completely and harden. This may take up to half an hour, but patience is key! Keep leftovers in an airtight container; they are best when consumed within 1 to 2 weeks.

How to ship pralines in the mail
New Orleans pralines are perfect for gift-giving during the holiday season, especially Christmas. The best part is you can easily ship them to friends and family all over! It does require careful packaging to ensure they arrive at their destination in good condition. Here are some tips for shipping pralines and similar treats:
- Let Them Cool Completely: Ensure that your pralines are completely cooled and hardened before attempting to package them. This will help maintain their shape during transit.
- Wrap Individually: Ensure each one is wrapped securely in cellophane wrappers or similar designed for chocolates, caramels, etc. before placing them in the container. This helps to protect them from breakage and keeps them fresh.
- Choose the Right Container: Select a sturdy container that provides enough space for the pralines without allowing them to shift too much. Consider using a tin, airtight plastic container, or a sturdy box.
- Cushioning Material: Use cushioning material such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts to fill any empty spaces in the package, providing additional protection against movement and breakage.
- Temperature Considerations: Be mindful of the weather conditions when shipping. Extreme heat or cold can affect the quality of the pralines. Consider adding insulation or using expedited shipping during hot weather.
- Label the Package: Clearly label the package as “fragile” to alert handlers to handle it with care. Additionally, mark the package as perishable.
- Choose Expedited Shipping: Opt for expedited shipping services to reduce the transit time.

Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use a Candy Thermometer: Invest in a reliable candy thermometer to accurately gauge the temperature. This is a MUST HAVE for achieving the right consistency and texture in your pralines.
- Prep Everything in Advance: Pralines require you to work quickly once the it’s ready. Have all your ingredients measured and utensils ready to go before you start cooking.
- Choose Quality Pecans: Opt for fresh and high-quality pecans. Toasting them before adding to the mixture can enhance their flavor.
- Timing is Key: Pay close attention to the temperature! Be ready to remove from heat as soon as it reaches the firm ball stage. Overcooking can result in grainy pralines.
- Cooling: Allow the pralines to cool undisturbed for the specified time. Rushing this step can affect the final texture.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Pralines can be a bit tricky to master, especially concerning the timing. Don’t be discouraged if the first batch isn’t perfect. Practice and adjustments will lead to praline perfection.

What to serve with pralines
Pralines pair well with a variety of accompaniments! Here are some ideas:
- Ice Cream: I’ve never tried this but it sounds delicious; the buttery, nutty pralines paired with creamy vanilla ice cream? Yum!
- Christmas Dessert Board: A nice dessert platter with an assortment of sweet treats, including pralines, cookies, and small pastries, would be a decadent spread.
- Gift Baskets: Package these pralines in gift baskets with complementary items like gourmet coffee, tea, or a selection of chocolates for a thoughtful and delicious gift.

New Orleans Praline FAQ
This refers to specific temperature ranges in candy making, as measured by a candy thermometer. These stages indicate the concentration of sugar syrup and determine the texture of the final candy. The soft ball stage is between 234°F to 240°F (112°C to 116°C) and the hard ball stage is around 250°F to 266°F (121°C to 130°C).
If your pralines are too soft and won’t set, they may not have reached the correct temperature during cooking. Ensure that you heat it to the right temp. Using a reliable candy thermometer is crucial for accuracy.
Overheating can result in pralines that are too hard or brittle. Pay close attention to the cooking time and temperature. If you find that your pralines are consistently too hard, try cooking the mixture for a slightly shorter duration.
Pralines that are too sticky might not have reached the appropriate temperature or have not cooled adequately. Ensure that the pralines cool completely before attempting to move or store them. If they remain sticky, you can try briefly placing them in the refrigerator to firm up.
It might be due to undissolved sugar or moisture during cooking. Start with a clean saucepan and make sure to dissolve sugar thoroughly during the initial stages of cooking, and avoid stirring once the it begins to boil.
Summary
This recipe blends pecans, butter, sugar, and milk to perfection, creating a heavenly texture that practically melts in your mouth. Elevate your home baking experience and spread joy this holiday season with our New Orleans pralines.
Print
New Orleans Pralines
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Prep Time: 5 minutes -
Cook Time: 20 minutes -
Total Time: 25 minutes -
Yield: 12 pralines -
Category: dessert -
Method: stovetop -
Cuisine: creole, american, southern
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or foil, greased with cooking spray or butter. Grease a spoon with butter for later use in scooping the praline mixture onto the pan.
- In a large, heavy-bottom pot, combine butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and evaporated milk.
- Attach a candy thermometer to the pot and set it over high heat.
- Bring to a boil, stirring until sugars dissolve.
- Cook until it reaches the “soft ball” stage at 235°F, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Once the temperature hits 235°F, stir in pecans and vanilla.
- Continue boiling until it reaches the “hard ball” stage around 250°F.
- Remove the pot from heat and allow the confection to cool, undisturbed, for 2 to 4 minutes.
- Quickly use the pre-greased spoon to scoop spoonfuls from the pot onto the prepared sheet pan. The praline mixture thickens rapidly, so work quickly.
- Allow pralines to cool completely and harden on the sheet pan, approximately 30 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container; best consumed within 2 days.
Keywords: pralines, new orleans, creole, pecans, pecan pralines
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