Delicious Southern Pralines

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Delicious Southern Pralines.

1. Step 1

   Start by lightly greasing the inside of a 4-quart saucepan. This will help prevent the mixture from sticking as it cooks. Next, line a baking sheet with waxed paper to catch the pralines once they’re ready to cool.

2. Step 2

   In your greased saucepan, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, sour cream, and light corn syrup. Place the pan over low heat and stir the mixture continuously until the sugars dissolve completely. If you notice any sugar crystals forming above the liquid line, simply wipe them away with a pastry brush dipped in cold water.

3. Step 3

   Once the sugars are dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Here’s a crucial tip: do not stir the mixture once it starts boiling. You want to let it reach the perfect temperature without interference. Keep an eye on it and heat until it reaches 240 degrees F (115 degrees C). You can test this by dropping a small amount of syrup into cold water; it should form a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface.

4. Step 4

   When the mixture reaches the right temperature, remove it from the heat. Stir in the softened butter, vanilla extract, and chopped pecans until everything is well combined and the butter has melted into the mixture.

5. Step 5

   Now comes the fun part! Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each one. To add a touch of elegance, press a pecan half into the top of each praline before they cool.

6. Step 6

   Allow the pralines to cool completely at room temperature. Once they’re set, store them in an airtight container in a cool place to keep them fresh and delicious.