My husband ate half the batch before the bake sale even started. Just 3 ingredients.
Southern 3-Ingredient Pecan Pralines
These Southern 3-ingredient pecan pralines are a simple homemade candy made with toasted pecans, brown sugar, and butter. The mixture cooks quickly on the stovetop, then is spooned onto a lined baking sheet to cool and set.
They make an easy treat for holiday trays, bake sales, gifts, or an afternoon dessert. Serve them with coffee, tea, milk, or alongside vanilla ice cream.
Servings: 18–24 pralines
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 30–45 minutes
Total Time: About 50–65 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into pieces
Directions
- Prepare the baking sheet: Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease it with butter or nonstick spray.
- Toast the pecans: Place the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 4–6 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Transfer them to a bowl.
- Make the caramel: Add the brown sugar and butter to a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter melts and the mixture becomes smooth and bubbly, about 3–5 minutes.
- Add the pecans: Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the toasted pecans, coating them well with the caramel mixture.
- Form the pralines: Quickly drop heaping spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Cool: Let the pralines cool at room temperature for 30–45 minutes, or until firm. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate them for 10–15 minutes to help them set.
- Serve: Once completely firm, gently peel the pralines away from the foil and transfer them to a serving plate.
Variations & Tips
- For a deeper caramel flavor, replace half of the light brown sugar with dark brown sugar.
- For extra crunch, add up to 1/2 cup more pecans, keeping in mind that the pralines will be larger and less uniform.
- A small pinch of kosher salt sprinkled over the pralines while they are still warm adds a nice sweet-and-salty contrast.
- For smaller pralines, use a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon when portioning the mixture.
- If the pralines remain soft because of warm or humid conditions, refrigerate them for 20–30 minutes until firm.
How to Store Pecan Pralines
Store completely cooled pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For gifting, place wax paper between the layers to help protect the caramelized edges.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these pecan pralines with coffee, black tea, or a glass of milk. They also make a simple topping or accompaniment for vanilla ice cream and cheesecake.
Final Thoughts
With only three main ingredients, these pecan pralines are an easy homemade candy that comes together without complicated equipment. Toasted pecans, buttery caramel, and brown sugar create a classic Southern-inspired treat that’s simple enough for everyday baking and special enough for holiday trays.
