Pecan to Walnut: 5 Classic Praline Recipes For The Holidays

Praline is a simple confection that you can make with staple ingredients. The best part? There are multiple varieties that you can try if you are bored or simply aren't a fan of some ingredients.

Pralines are essentially a type of candy. Their recipes change depending on where they are made and what ingredients are used to make them. They are sugary and are known for their nutty flavour thanks to the caramelised nuts, which have a fudgy-soft texture. It is believed that the dessert was created in France for the first time and that the recipe for caramelized almonds was brought to the USA by French settlers in the 1700s.

In this article, we will look at five classic praline recipes that you can try this holiday season.

Pecan Praline

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• Pinch kosher salt, optional (omit if using salted butter)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups of pecans
• 3/4 cup light cream

Method

• Start by preheating the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Put the pecans on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes.
• Two baking sheets with parchment paper should be lined and set aside.
• In a saucepan, blend both sugars and baking soda. Add the cream, and place the pan over medium heat.
• Let it cook and whisk at regular intervals until the mixture reaches 235 degrees Fahrenheit. You might see bubbling and slight foaming in the mixture.
• Incorporate the butter and mix until it is fully blended.
• Add the pecans until they are well-coated. Stir continuously to cool the mixture.
• Take spoonfuls of the mixture, put them onto the baking sheets, and let them cool completely.
• Once you are able to lift them up easily, simply store them in an airtight container for 3–5 days.

Almond Praline

Ingredients

• 250 g granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 250 g almonds
• 1 tablespoon of water

Method

• In a non-stick pan, gather all the ingredients.
• Cook on a low-medium flame until the sugar begins to melt.
• Use a wooden spoon and stir constantly, and the crystallisation of sugar will begin.
• Continue stirring as the almonds will start shining and detach from one another.
• Put the mixture on the lined baking sheet or sheet and allow the spoonfuls of the mixture to cool completely.

Cashew Praline

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon butter
• Oil
• 1/2 cup chopped cashews

Method

• Take a non-stick pan to heat the sugar until it melts; stir continuously while it melts.
• Add the cashews and butter to the sugar mixture after taking it off the heat.
• Mix the mixture. take spoonfuls of it and put them on a baking sheet.
• Allow the mixture to cool and form candy-like balls. Enjoy.

Hazelnut Praline

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 cup hazelnuts

Method

• Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Cook sugar in a dry, heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring with a fork, until melted, then cook without stirring, swirling the pan, until golden caramel.
• Stir in the hazelnuts and butter until evenly covered.
• Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet and allow it to cool for 30 minutes. Remove the praline from the baking sheet and break it up into pieces.
• Praline can be consumed as candy, pulverised, or used as a dessert topping in a food processor.

Walnut Praline

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup of walnuts

Method

• Grease a baking sheet very lightly.
• In a dry, heavy saucepan, melt the sugar over medium heat while stirring with a fork. Continue cooking without stirring while swirling the pan until the sugar turns golden caramel.
• Add the butter and walnuts, and stir until well combined.
• After transferring the mixture to a baking sheet, let it cool for half an hour. Take off the baking sheet and split the praline into pieces.