Pecan Pralines

By Lorena_321

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecan halves and pieces
• 3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 T light corn syrup
• 1 t vanilla extract

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool completely (about 15 minutes).
2. Meanwhile, bring brown sugar and next 3 ingredients to a boil in a heavy pan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until a candy thermometer registers 236 (soft ball stage). Remove sugar mixture from heat.
3. Let sugar mixture stand until candy thermomber reaches 150 (20 to 25 minutes). Stir in vanilla and pecans using a wooden spoon; stir constantly 1 to 2 minutes or just until mixture begins to lose its gloss. Quickly drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto wax paper; let stand until firm (10 to 15 minutes).
Try adding 2 (1 oz) unsweetened chocolate baking squares to sugar mixture after step 2 is complete, then continue with 3 (do not stir) for chocolate pecan pralines.
or try adding 1/4 cup bourbon with brown sugar in step 2 for bourbon pralines