Oh my goodness, let me tell you about southern pecan praline clusters! These little bites of heaven are the perfect combination of sweet and crunchy, thanks to the caramelized sugar and those lovely pecans. Every time I make them, I’m reminded of family gatherings where we’d enjoy these treats while swapping stories and laughter. The rich, toasty flavor of the pecans mingling with that luscious caramel is just irresistible! Trust me, once you pop one of these clusters in your mouth, you’ll be reaching for another. They’re not just a dessert; they’re a delightful little piece of nostalgia that brings everyone together. You’re going to love making these!
Ingredients for Southern Pecan Praline Clusters
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these dreamy southern pecan praline clusters:
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped – the star of the show!
- 1 cup packed brown sugar – this gives our clusters that sweet caramel flavor.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream – for that rich, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter – adds a luscious richness to the mixture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – because every sweet treat deserves a hint of vanilla magic!
Make sure your pecans are fresh for the best flavor, and don’t skimp on the butter! It’s essential for that perfect texture.
How to Prepare Southern Pecan Praline Clusters
Making southern pecan praline clusters is super simple and oh-so-rewarding! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a sweet treat that’ll wow everyone. First, let’s get those pecans toasting!
Toasting the Pecans
Toasting the pecans is essential because it brings out their natural flavor and adds a delightful crunch! Just heat a skillet over medium heat, toss in your chopped pecans, and stir them around for about 5-7 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly golden. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn—nobody wants that!
Making the Praline Mixture
Next, grab a saucepan and combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter. Bring this sweet mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. This step is key! You want to cook it for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remember to keep stirring, so it doesn’t stick to the bottom. Once you’ve achieved that lovely, smooth consistency, take it off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract along with your toasted pecans. It’s going to smell amazing!
Forming the Clusters
Now for the fun part! Using a spoon, drop generous spoonfuls of the mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper. Make sure to space them out a bit, as they’ll spread slightly as they cool. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes until they’re completely cool and set. You’ll want to resist the urge to dig in too soon, but trust me, it’ll be worth the wait!
Tips for Success
If you want your southern pecan praline clusters to be absolutely perfect, here are some of my top tips! First, feel free to adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar. If you like it a bit less sweet, you can reduce it slightly without sacrificing flavor. Also, make sure to store your clusters in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay nice and crunchy for about a week! If you want to keep them longer, you can pop them in the fridge, but let them come to room temperature before you enjoy them. Trust me, they taste even better when they’re a bit warm!
Nutritional Information
It’s always good to know what you’re indulging in, right? Just a heads up, the nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so keep that in mind! For one delicious southern pecan praline cluster, you’re looking at approximately 150 calories, 9 grams of fat (with 4 grams being saturated), and 2 grams of protein. Each cluster has about 18 grams of carbohydrates and 12 grams of sugar. They’re a sweet treat, but hey, that’s what makes them so irresistible! Enjoy them in moderation and savor every bite!
FAQ About Southern Pecan Praline Clusters
Got questions? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries about making these delightful southern pecan praline clusters:
Can I use other nuts? Absolutely! While pecans are traditional, feel free to swap in walnuts or almonds for a tasty twist.
What’s the best way to store them? Keep your clusters in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay crunchy and delicious for about a week!
Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, they’re perfect for making in advance! Just let them cool completely before storing.
Why did my clusters spread too much? If you drop them too close together, they may merge while cooling. Be sure to space them out for perfect individual clusters!
Can I adjust the sweetness? Definitely! You can tweak the amount of brown sugar to suit your taste. Just remember, less sugar might change the texture a bit!
Why You’ll Love Southern Pecan Praline Clusters
- Irresistibly sweet and crunchy—every bite is a delightful treat!
- Super easy to make, perfect for both beginner and seasoned cooks.
- Great for any occasion—whether it’s a family gathering, holiday party, or just because!
- Customizable sweetness to suit your taste buds.
- Quick prep and cook time, so you can whip them up anytime you need a sweet fix!
- They make for a lovely homemade gift—just package them up in a cute jar!
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 delightful for about a week, so you can enjoy them whenever that sweet craving hits! If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them, but let them come back to room temperature before diving in—trust me, they taste better that way! Reheating isn’t necessary, but if you really want that warm, gooey goodness, you can microwave them for just a few seconds. Just be careful not to overdo it, or they might get too soft!
For more delicious dessert ideas, check out classic vanilla sponge cake or New York-style cheesecake.
Imprimer
Southern Pecan Praline Clusters: 7 Irresistible Reasons to Indulge
- Temps Total: 30 minutes
- Rendement: 12 clusters 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Southern pecan praline clusters are sweet treats made with pecans and caramelized sugar. They provide a rich and crunchy texture.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant.
- In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter.
- Bring to a boil and let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and toasted pecans.
- Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment paper.
- Let it cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Store clusters in an airtight container.
- Use fresh pecans for best flavor.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 15 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cluster
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 12g
- De Sodium: 20mg
- La graisse: 9g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 5g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 18g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 15mg
Mots-clés: southern pecan praline clusters, pecan candy, praline recipe
