Homemade PralinesHomemade pralines are a delectable confection make primarily of nuts and sugar; but the candy that we know as pralines today is somewhat different from the original candy.
Pralines came from France and were whole almonds coated in caramelized sugar. While it is believed that they were originally made by Clement Lassagne, the chef of Marshal du Plessis-Praslin (1598-1675), a 17th century sugar industrialist, the “how” of their origination is in question. There are actually several accounts of how this candy came to be.  Another account says that Lassagne got the idea for the candy when a young apprentice knocked over a container of almonds into a vat of cooking caramel. Still another account says that Plessis-Praslin was a notorious ladies man and asked Lassagne to come up with an irresistible treat that he could present to the ladies. It is said that he would put the sweet nuts into little packets with his name on them, and that is why the sweet treat is named after him. Pralines came to America by way of French settlers who came to Louisiana where pecans and sugar cane were both plentiful. Chefs in New Orleans substituted pecans for the almonds and added cream to thicken the mixture. This gave us the candy we know today. The Praline is often associated with New Orleans but it is a well-loved candy all over the United States. It is often pronounced “praw-leen” around Louisiana and Mississippi and usually pronounced “pray-leen” in other areas. However you choose to pronounce it, homemade pralines are a delicious candy and you will want to try out all of our great variations of this candy. Chewy Pralines Classic Pralines Microwave Pralines Praline Candy Waverly Pecan Pralines Recipe How to Make Pralines - Video Return from Homemade Pralines to Home |
