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Classic Southern Pralines

Source of Recipe


From "The South: Williams-Sonoma New American Cooking Series"






List of Ingredients



• 3 cups sugar
  
• 3-1/2 cups pecan halves
  
• 1-1/3 cups buttermilk
  
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
  
• 1-1/2 tsp baking soda
  






Instructions



1. Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper.
   
   
2. In a large, heavy saucepan over low heat, combine the sugar, pecan halves, buttermilk, butter and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely -- about 10 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil before the sugar dissolves, or it may crystallize and become grainy. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally but being careful not to scrape any hardened candy mixture from the sides of the saucepan. Cook to the soft-ball stage (236º to 239º F) on a candy thermometer, about 15 minutes.
   
   
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and almond extracts and the baking soda. As soon as you add the baking soda, the mixture will become lighter in color and foamy in texture. Beat rapidly with a wooden spoon until the mixture begins to cool, thicken, and lose some of its shine, 5 to 7 minutes. Working quickly, drop the candy by heaping tablespoonfuls, using one spoon to scoop and another to push the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Let stand at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour. Eat immediately, or store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
   
   Makes about 3 dozen pralines.
   
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   Avoid making pralines on a humid day. They will not set up properly.