Oh my goodness, let me tell you about the absolute delight that is southern pecan praline clusters! These little bites of heaven are a sweet and crunchy treat that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy. I remember the first time I tried them at a family gathering in the South; my aunt had just pulled them out of the oven, and the smell was intoxicating! It was love at first bite. The combination of toasted pecans and rich caramel coating is just irresistible. Trust me, once you make these southern pecan praline clusters, they’ll become a regular in your dessert rotation. They’re perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy night in or a big family celebration. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy yet delightful recipe!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How to Prepare Southern Pecan Praline Clusters
Preheat and Toast
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because it gets our pecans perfectly toasted and enhances their flavor. Spread the pecan halves evenly on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Let them toast for about 8-10 minutes, but keep an eye on them! You want them golden and fragrant, not burnt. The smell wafting through your kitchen will be absolutely heavenly!
Make the Caramel Coating
While your pecans are toasting, let’s whip up that rich caramel coating! In a medium saucepan, combine the packed brown sugar, heavy cream, unsalted butter, and salt. Set the heat to medium and stir everything together until it comes to a boil. It’s important to keep stirring so the sugar doesn’t stick to the bottom and burn. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This is where the magic happens! Remove the pan from the heat and stir in that lovely vanilla extract.
Combine and Cool
Now comes the best part! Carefully fold your toasted pecans into the caramel mixture, making sure they’re all coated nicely. Using a spoon, drop generous spoonfuls of the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper. Don’t stress if they’re not all perfect; they’ll look beautiful once they set! Let them cool for at least 30 minutes, or until they’re firm. Trust me, the wait will be worth it when you finally get to taste these delightful southern pecan praline clusters!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick prep time—ready in just 35 minutes!
- Delightful flavor combo of sweet caramel and crunchy pecans
- Irresistibly rich texture that melts in your mouth
- Perfect for sharing at gatherings or as a sweet snack
- Easy to make with simple ingredients you probably have on hand
Tips for Success
To make the perfect southern pecan praline clusters, there are a few tips that’ll take your treats from good to great! First, be sure to toast those pecans until they’re golden and fragrant—this step really enhances their flavor. And don’t rush the caramel; stirring constantly is key to prevent burning. If your caramel seems too thin, let it simmer a bit longer until it thickens up. Also, when dropping the clusters onto parchment paper, make them generous but not too big; they’ll spread a little as they cool. Finally, be patient while they set! They need that time to firm up and develop that delightful crunch. Trust me, these little adjustments will make all the difference!
Nutritional Information
Just a quick heads up—nutrition facts can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so these values are approximate and not set in stone. That being said, here’s what you can typically expect per southern pecan praline cluster:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Sugar: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 50mg
These little bites of joy are not only delicious but can also be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Happy snacking!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different type of nut?
Absolutely! While pecans are traditional, you can substitute with walnuts or almonds if you prefer. Just keep in mind that the flavor will be a bit different, but still delicious!
How do I know when my caramel is ready?
The key is to watch for bubbling! When your mixture reaches a boil and then simmers for about 5 minutes, it should thicken slightly. It might take a little practice, but you’ll get the hang of it. Just remember, no rushing—patience is key!
Can I make southern pecan praline clusters in advance?
Yes, definitely! These clusters can be made a day ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. They’ll keep their delightful crunch and flavor, making them perfect for parties or surprise guests!
Why did my praline clusters turn out too soft?
If your clusters are soft, it may be because the caramel didn’t cook long enough to reach the right consistency. Make sure to let it simmer for the full 5 minutes and keep stirring to avoid burning. If they need a little extra help, you can return them to the heat briefly!
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store your southern pecan praline clusters in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week; just make sure they’re completely cool before sealing them up to avoid moisture!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your southern pecan praline clusters fresh and crunchy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for about a week, but trust me, they’re usually gone way before that! Just make sure they’re completely cool before sealing them up to prevent any moisture from making them sticky.
Reheating isn’t really necessary since they’re best enjoyed at room temperature. However, if you want to soften them up a bit, you can pop them in the microwave for just a few seconds. But be careful—not too long, or you might end up with a gooey mess! Enjoy your treats!
Z nadrukami
Southern Pecan Praline Clusters to Delight Your Taste Buds
- Całkowity Czas: 35 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 clusters 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Southern pecan praline clusters are a sweet and crunchy treat made with pecans and a rich caramel coating.
Składniki
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the pecan halves on a baking sheet and toast for 8-10 minutes.
- In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and salt.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture reaches a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla extract and toasted pecans.
- Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment paper.
- Let cool until set.
Uwagi
- Store clusters in an airtight container.
- Can be made a day in advance.
- Adjust the amount of pecans to your taste.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 20 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Stovetop and oven
- Kuchnia: Southern
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 cluster
- Kalorie: 150
- Cukier: 12g
- Sód: 50mg
- Kwasy: 9g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 3g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 6g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 16g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Słowa kluczowe: southern pecan praline clusters, pralines, pecan dessert, southern dessert
