Megan's Pecan Pralines

Name: Megan's Pecan Pralines
Total time: 41 min
Yield: 24 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups sugar; 1⅛ cups evaporated milk; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 cups pecans; equipment

Classic Southern pecan pralines made with sugar, evaporated milk, and butter, cooked to the perfect temperature and dropped by spoonfuls to create sweet, creamy candies packed with crunchy pecans.

24 servings

41 min

Published October 4, 2025

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

•3 cups sugar
•1⅛ cups evaporated milk
•1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
•8 tablespoons unsalted butter
•2 cups pecans
•equipment

Cooking Instructions

1.
Line 2 large baking sheets with wax paper.
2 min
2.
In a large heavy pot, stir together the sugar and 1 cup evaporated milk. Attach a candy thermometer to the pot and place it over moderately low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally-use a pastry brush dipped in cold water to wash down any sugar crystals clinging to the side of the pot-until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Raise the heat to moderate and cook the mixture, undisturbed, until the thermometer registers 238°F (soft-ball stage), 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool, undisturbed, until the thermometer registers 220°F, about 6 minutes.
24 min
3.
Using a wooden spoon, stir in the vanilla and butter. Continue stirring until the mixture is creamy and thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the pecan pieces. Working quickly, use a wooden spoon to scoop up heaping tablespoons of the praline mixture and a small metal spoon to scrape the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between pralines. If the mixture starts to crystallize and harden, add 1 to 2 tablespoons evaporated milk and place over low heat, stirring, until the mixture softens then continue dropping on prepared baking sheets. Let the pralines harden at room temperature. DO AHEAD: Pralines can be made ahead, wrapped individually in waxed paper, and stored in an airtight container in a cool place, up to 1 week.
15 min

Cooking Instructions

Line 2 large baking sheets with wax paper.

2 min

In a large heavy pot, stir together the sugar and 1 cup evaporated milk. Attach a candy thermometer to the pot and place it over moderately low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally-use a pastry brush dipped in cold water to wash down any sugar crystals clinging to the side of the pot-until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Raise the heat to moderate and cook the mixture, undisturbed, until the thermometer registers 238°F (soft-ball stage), 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool, undisturbed, until the thermometer registers 220°F, about 6 minutes.

24 min

Using a wooden spoon, stir in the vanilla and butter. Continue stirring until the mixture is creamy and thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the pecan pieces. Working quickly, use a wooden spoon to scoop up heaping tablespoons of the praline mixture and a small metal spoon to scrape the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between pralines. If the mixture starts to crystallize and harden, add 1 to 2 tablespoons evaporated milk and place over low heat, stirring, until the mixture softens then continue dropping on prepared baking sheets. Let the pralines harden at room temperature. DO AHEAD: Pralines can be made ahead, wrapped individually in waxed paper, and stored in an airtight container in a cool place, up to 1 week.

15 min