Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the charming streets of Savannah, Georgia? Today, we're crafting a recipe inspired by the iconic River Street Sweets pralines – those rich, creamy, pecan-studded delights that are simply irresistible. This homemade praline recipe is easier than you might think, bringing the sweet magic of Savannah right into your kitchen. It's a perfect dessert for any occasion, a delightful treat for yourself, or a thoughtful homemade gift. Get ready to experience the joy of making these delicious and easy pralines!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter, unsalted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pecan halves
Instructions:
Getting Started:
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Prepare your workspace: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Lightly grease the parchment paper for extra insurance.
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Combine ingredients: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan (this is crucial for even cooking and preventing scorching), combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, butter, and salt.
Cooking the Praline Base:
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Heat and stir: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula. This prevents burning and ensures the sugar dissolves evenly.
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Reaching the soft-ball stage: Continue stirring until the mixture reaches 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer. This is the soft-ball stage, a crucial point for achieving the perfect praline texture. Be patient; this takes time and consistent stirring.
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Remove from heat and add flavor: Once the temperature is reached, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Assembling and Cooling Your Pralines:
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Incorporate the pecans: Gently fold in the pecan halves, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
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Pour and shape: Quickly pour the praline mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. Using a spatula or butter knife, spread it into a thin, even layer (about 1/4 inch thick).
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Cooling process: Allow the pralines to cool completely at room temperature. This is important for setting the texture. Resist the urge to touch them until they are completely cool – this will prevent them from becoming sticky or breaking.
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Breaking into pieces: Once completely cooled, break the praline sheet into bite-sized pieces.
Tips for Praline Perfection:
- Use a candy thermometer: This is essential for achieving the correct soft-ball stage, ensuring perfectly textured pralines.
- Don't rush the cooling process: Patience is key here. Allowing the pralines to cool completely at room temperature will result in a firmer, less sticky texture.
- Store properly: Store your homemade pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Variations:
- Chocolate pralines: Add 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the mixture along with the pecans.
- Sea salt pralines: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the pralines before they cool for a delightful salty-sweet contrast.
- Different nuts: Experiment with other nuts like cashews or almonds instead of pecans.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the size of your praline pieces. It's best to use a nutrition calculator to get a precise calculation based on your specific recipe yield. However, expect them to be relatively high in sugar and fat, as is typical with pralines. Enjoy in moderation!
This recipe makes a delicious and easy homemade treat that's perfect for sharing. These homemade River Street Sweets-inspired pralines are a wonderful example of simple ingredients transformed into something truly special. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!