Sherry Orleans Pralines Recipes

SHERRY ORLEANS PRALINES

Steps:

• Mix first four ingredients in a heavy saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat to soft ball stage (236F) stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat. When mixture stops bubbling, stir in sherry. Cool slightly. Then beat mixture until it thickens slightly.
• Drop candy from a tablespoon onto waxed paper to form patties. If candy becomes too stiff, drop in a few drops of hot water.

JAMAICAN GINGER PRALINES

Steps:

• Have ready a wooden spoon, candy thermometer, pastry brush and cup of hot water to brush down sugar crystals from the sides of the pan. Also, have handy 2 tablespoons to use for dipping and dropping the candy.
• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper or foil, butter generously; set aside. (Don't use wax paper; the candy will stick to it.).
• Combine in a heavy 3-quart saucepan the sugar, baking soda, buttermilk, corn syrup, ginger, butter, rum or vanilla extract. Place the pan on medium-high heat and bring the syrup to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved, for 6 to 8 minutes.
• Then, cover the pan and boil the syrup without stirring for 3 minutes. (Stirring will make the mixture grainy.) Remove the cover. Dip the pastry brush into the water and brush down the sides of the pan. Attach the candy thermometer to the inside of the pot.
• Cook the syrup without stirring until it reaches 225 degrees, frequently brushing down the pan with the damp brush.
• Quickly scatter the pecans or walnuts over the syrup and continue cooking until the syrup reaches 236 degrees or the soft ball stage and is deep amber in color. Watch carefully, because the candy cooks quickly at this point and can burn.
• Remove the thermometer. Add the rum or vanilla extract and butter and swirl the pan until combined. Then move quickly to the work area.
• Using the 2 tablespoons and, working quickly, scoop the candy with 1 tablespoon and use the second spoon to push the candy onto the baking sheet, dropping the candies about 2 inches apart.
• Allow the pralines to cool and let stand until firm and crunchy and the consistency of hard fudge, at least an hour or longer.
• The pralines can be stored in airtight containers for a week or so.

CHEF MICHAEL'S NEW ORLEANS PRALINES

Steps:

• In a saucepan, using a wooden spoon, mix sugars, milk, butter, syrup, and salt.
• Cook over medium heat to softball stage, about 10 minutes. Test by dropping a drop of mixture into some cold water. Drop should be soft when picked up with fingers.
• Remove from heat; add vanilla and nuts. Beat until mixture begins to thicken, about 1 minute.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto buttered wax paper.

COCONUT PRALINES

Steps:

• Mix together butter, sugar and flour until crumbly.
• Press evenly in the bottom of a 9"x9" baking pan.
• Bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and lower temperature to 350 degrees.
• Mix filling ingredients until well blended.
• Spread over partially baked crust and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until nicely browned.
• Cool before cutting into squares.

CREAMY NEW ORLEANS PRALINES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cream, milk, butter, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, to 230°F Lower heat slightly if the mixture threatens to boil over.
• Add the pecans and continue cooking, stirring constantly, to 236°F The mixture should form a soft ball when a little is dropped in cold water. Remove from the heat and add vanilla; let stand for about 5 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is thickened and slightly creamy, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
• Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, spoon the pralines onto a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper. If the mixture becomes grainy, heat and stir over medium heat for a few seconds, or until it can be easily scooped and dropped.
• Optional Toasted Pecans:.
• Heat oven to 350°. Spread chopped pecans out on a large baking sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the chopped pecans are lightly browned and aromatic. This can also be achieved by microwaving pecans on a microwave-safe plate in 30 second increments.

NEW ORLEANS BUTTER PRALINES

Steps:

• Place 2 sheets of wax paper on 2 cookie sheets and butter. Set aside.
• Combine all ingredients except vanilla in heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil.
• Cook to soft-ball stage.
• Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
• Stir until it loses its glossy sheen.
• Working quickly, drop mixture in tablespoons onto buttered paper.
• Let pralines cool completely before removing from paper.

NEW ORLEANS-STYLE PRALINES

Steps:

• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper (important to have these ready because you'll have to work fast when they're done).
• In a large saucepan, simmer cream, sugar, corn syrup and orange zest slowly over low heat, until reduced (watch carefully for boil over).
• Stir continuously as soon as the mixture starts to stick to the bottom of the pan(the mixture will become thicker and turn light brown as is reduces and the sugar carmelizes).
• Stir in pecans when the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage (240 degrees), and continue to stir until the mixture starts to pull away from the sides of the pan.
• Test by dropping a quarter size amount onto the lined baking sheet, and if it holds a nice rounded top (instead of running out flat), and if it is dull looking (rather than oily/shiny)it is ready (approximately 248 degrees).
• Use two dessert spoons to spoon out the pralines onto the baking sheets (one to dip, and one to scrape off) - they're hot, be careful!
• Depending on the humidity, temperature, and luck - they may be ready in about 30 minutes, but don't worry - it could take up to a day or two.
• Store in an airtight container up to a week.

SHERRY CREAM PRALINES

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients, except sherry, thoroughly in a heavy saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat to soft ball stage (236 degrees on candy thermometer) stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• When mixture stops bubbling, stir in sherry. Cool slightly, then beat until mixture begins to thicken.
• Drop candy onto waxed paper or buttered baking sheet to form patties.
• If candy becomes too stiff at the last to drop into smooth patties, stir in a little hot water.
• Makes about 20 two-inch patties.
• Note: Mixture may also be dropped by spoonfuls into fluted paper cups, then placed in small muffin tins, if desired.