Spiced Butter Pecan Pralines
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups pecans, lightly toasted
1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper; set aside.
2. In a large heavy saucepan, combine both sugars, soda, salt, butter
and buttermilk. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium-high
heat. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking at a slow boil, without
stirring, until the mixture becomes caramel-colored and reaches the
soft-ball stage (238 degrees on a candy thermometer). Adjust heat as
necessary.
3. Remove from the heat, and carefully stir in spices, vanilla and
pecans. This mixture will well up almost double the size in volume. Stir
the mixture until it begins to thicken and turn from shiny to creamy.
Working quickly, spoon mixture in 10 portions onto the waxed paper and
let pralines cool for at least 1 hour. Keep loosely covered; will keep
for about 2 weeks at room temperature.
Makes 10 (3-inch) pralines.
If the mixture becomes too hard when spooning out, reheat over medium
heat, stirring in a teaspoon or two of warm water.
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