Homemade Pralines

By Mary Anne Daino

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups pecans
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

Step 1

1. Combine all ingredients and bring to a “softball stage” (238-240 degrees F), stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
2. Stir until mixture thickens (again stirring constantly), becomes creamy and cloudy, and pecans stay suspended in mixture. Spoon out on buttered waxed paper, aluminum foil or parchment paper. When using waxed paper, be sure to buffer with newspaper underneath, as hot wax will transfer to whatever is beneath.
Note: To roast pecans, bake them on a sheet pan at 275 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, until slightly browned and fragrant.
Options: Praline sauce (add 1/2 cup corn syrup to mixture). Chocolate covered praline candy. Flavored pralines (chocolate, coffee, brandy, etc.)
Makes 1-50 pralines depending on size