Louisiana-Style Pecan Pralines

In 1984 my parents took me to the World's Fair in New Orleans, Louisiana.  This was my first experience in the Crescent City, and although I was only 12 I fell in love with the culture that is New Orleans.  Besides king cakes and beignets, pecan pralines are a New Orleans institution.  The delectable candy dates back to the 1700s.  The French elite of Louisiana enjoyed a candy made from white sugar and almonds, but soon their Creole neighbors added the plentiful local pecan and brown sugar.  And the praline as we know it today was born.  Throughout the 1800s, African-American women sold their homemade pralines throughout New Orleans.  They became the most popular of the street vendors in the area.  In the 1900s the praline ladies gave way to praline stores throughout the French Quarter.  I remember enjoying the candies on our trip so much that I picked out a souvenir that has well out-lasted any piece of candy.  I chose a beautiful doll, made in New Orleans from the Gambina Doll Company.  I'm sad to report the doll factory has long since closed, but I still have my beautiful doll as a reminder of that vacation and the delicious pralines we enjoyed. 

A taste of New Orleans:  Louisiana-Style Pecan Pralines

Here's my beautiful Gambina doll.  Her tag reads:

"ODELIA"
PRALINE LADY
The people of old New Orleans were delighted to see this lady
walking down the street selling her pralines (prah-leens).
She made this savory candy herself using sugars, syrups and
tasty pecans.  She added other ingredients to vary the flavor
and color.  Those same recipes are still handmade and sold
in New Orleans today--M-M-M Good!
C.V. Gambina, Inc 1983

Little Devil and I picked these pecans ourselves out
of my aunt's backyard.  My uncle (who was like a dad to me)
passed away in 2005.  One of my favorite activities as a child was
picking buckets of pecans with him every fall, so this recipe
has a special place in my heart.  Also it is my mom's
absolute favorite kind of candy!

Louisiana-Style Pecan Pralines

1 cup brown sugar, not packed
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup pecan halves

Using a wooden spoon, combine brown sugar and the next 5 ingredients in a sauce-pan over medium heat.  Cook 10 minutes or to a soft ball stage. (Test for doneness by dropping a drop of the mixture into cold water.  The drop should be soft and able to form a ball when picked up with your fingers.)  Remove from heat.  Add vanilla and pecans.  Stir one minute or until mixture starts to thicken.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased wax paper.  Cool before serving.

Prep Time:  Approximately 5 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 10 minutes