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04/14/2011 National Pecan Day Pecan Pralines

Source of Recipe

What's Cooking America


Recipe Introduction

Pecan Day is a rather nutty day. It's a day to celebrate and enjoy popular, tasty pecans. Apparently, someone thought that it was such a great nut, that they created two days to celebrate Pecans. One in March, and the other in April. A little nutty perhaps, but true. Name the only nut tree native to North America. ... You guessed it........ Pecan trees. Celebrate Pecan Day and National Pecan Day by cracking open and eating a few pecan nuts. Also, have some pecan pie.

List of Ingredients

HOME COOKIN’ 04/14/2011 National Pecan Day Pecan Pralines



Pecan Pralines


2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups firmly-packed light or dark brown sugar*
1 cup evaporated milk
2 cups pecan halves

* The type of brown sugar used will determine the color of the pralines.


Recipe



In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, brown, sugar, and evaporated milk; cook, stirring constantly until the candy thermometer reaches 236 degrees F. or when a small amount of sugar mixture dropped into very cold water separates into hard but not brittle threads. Immediately remove thermometer and remove sugar mixture from heat; set saucepan in a large pan of cold water to cool.

Butter a large sheet of wax paper; set aside.

When sugar mixture has almost cooled, beat with a spoon 1 minute or until it begins to lose it gloss.

Immediately stir in pecans and drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared buttered wax paper. NOTE: Work quickly before mixture sets. If it thicken up, just place pan back on low heat to re-soften.

When pralines cool and have become firm, wrap individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store in a covered container.

Makes 36 small or 20 large pralines.