Texas Pecan Pralines

If you're from Texas then you know what a Pecan Praline is. If not you really need to make this recipe and find out what they're all about.   My favorite treat when we go to a Mexican restaurant is the basket of pecan pralines sitting on the counter by the cash register.

I can never resist grabbing one or two on my way out the door. Every time I pick one up I say to myself, I gotta find out how to make these things. They're so addicting I usually have one polished off before we make it back to the house. This Praline recipe is for a firm crisp pecan pralines, not the chewy creamy ones.
 

Don't get me wrong those are great too, but I love the firm pralines best. Pecans, Pecans oh how I love them!! Pecans are as much a part of Texas as cows, cotton and oil. After all it's the Texas State Tree. Texas Pecans are a special part of Fall and Winter.
 

I use them to make so many breads and candy throughout the holidays. I usually buy a bunch from a local farmers market or you can bet someone in the family knows someone that has fresh pecans for sale.

If you're lucky you can find a Pecan Tree in a lonely field just waiting for someone to come pick some off the ground. I never have to worry about trying to find a couple pounds of little gems. I usually have plenty bags of pecans, so I never have to worry about having them go to waste. 
 

Shelled Pecans can be frozen and stored for two years before they go bad, but mine never last that long.  I was a little nervous about making this recipe, sometimes me and candy making don't mix. I usually have the problem of my candy not setting up correctly and just ending up to be a runny mess.
 

The directions on this recipe were precise and to the point. I didn't have any problems. My husband made the pieces a bit bigger than I would of liked.  My Pecan Pralines looked more like cow patties, but that's OK they were wonderful and we only have couple pieces left.

I got this recipe from Julie from Peanut Butter and Julie. I have been on a hunt for a true pecan praline recipe so I'm happy I stumbled upon this recipe.  Julie has a wonderful blog that I always enjoy reading you definitely need to check it out. She has a great recipe for Yeasty Texas Sized Dinner Rolls at her site that I am dying to try.

Pecan Pralines are perfect for gift giving. Add them to clear treat bags and tie a pretty ribbon around to close. Add to a basket with other items and I know they will love it. I always give Fall & Christmas Baked Items in basket for family members they contain lots of different breads, cookies, bars and candy. 

 

This will definitely be on my list this year to give. Like I said earlier I didn't think i could pull this recipe off but they turned out perfect. I even had the help of my husband this time. He loves to make candy.

Texas Pecan Pralines

2 - cups packed light brown sugar
1 - cup granulated sugar
1 - cup heavy cream
1/2 - teaspoon salt
1/4 - teaspoon cream of tartar
4 - tablespoons butter, cubed
1 1/2- teaspoons vanilla
2 1/2 - cups pecan halves

Have ready 2 large baking sheets, either oiled or lined with parchment or waxed paper. In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, cream, salt, and the cream of tartar. 

Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring and washing down any sugar crystals clinging to the side with a brush dipped in cold water, until the sugar is dissolved.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil it undisturbed until a candy thermometer registers 238 F degrees. 

Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool until the candy thermometer registers 220 F degrees.

Stir in the butter and the vanilla. Using a hand-held electric mixer, beat the mixture until creamy, and then stir in the pecan halves. 

Working quickly, drop the mixture by tablespoon onto the baking sheets and let the pralines cool. 

Remove the pralines carefully and store them, wrapped individually in waxed paper, in airtight containers in a cool

Recipe Yields: 30-40 Pieces - depending on the size