These no bake coconut pecan pralines are in great taste; it is not hard to make a dessert like this right away. Sweet and chewy pralines with somewhat light butter taste, these are sure to wake up childhood memories and stay in mind for long! The pecan and coconut pralines combine the unforgettable flavors with a soft no-bake candy texture. They are also very quick and easy to come by—without needing any oven time!
Who wouldn’t be able to resist these tads of sweetness!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Pecan and Coconut Mixture
- Mix Pecans and Coconut: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped pecans and shredded coconut. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Praline Base
- Combine the Sugars, Butter, and Milk: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, unsalted butter, and evaporated milk.
- Heat the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the butter is melted, and the sugars are dissolved.
- Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Continue to stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Cook to Soft-Ball Stage: Let the mixture boil for 3-4 minutes, or until it reaches the soft-ball stage (235-240°F or 112-116°C) on a candy thermometer. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test by dropping a small amount of the mixture into a bowl of cold water—it should form a soft, pliable ball.
Step 3: Combine and Shape the Pralines
- Add the Pecans, Coconut, and Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in the prepared pecan and coconut mixture, along with the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Mix well until everything is evenly coated and combined.
- Spoon onto Parchment: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, quickly drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Work quickly, as the mixture will begin to set as it cools.
- Shape the Pralines: Use the back of the spoon to shape the pralines into rounds or any desired shape.
Step 4: Cool and Set
- Let Cool: Allow the pralines to cool completely on the baking sheet at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until they are firm and set.
Serving and Storage Tips:
For Serving: Serve pralines as a snack or dessert. They are an excellent choice for serving with coffee at a get-together, a party, or as an elaborate sweet in the season.
For Storage: Store pralines in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week or in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
For Freezing: Store these in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw to room temperature before serving.
Helpful Notes:
Key to Solid Consistency: Be sure to cook the sugar mixture to the soft-ball stage to guarantee the pralines will set properly. If they turn out too soft, go back and cook them for just a bit longer; if too hard, on the other hand, it will mean they were quite overcooked.
Mix Quickly: Work with lightning speed to scoop the pralines out once you have folded in the pecans and coconut because they will stiffen as they cool.
Substitute Options: The unique pecan flavor could be exchanged for walnuts or almonds, and unsweetened coconut can be used if you prefer less sweet.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs:
Paula Deen: Sarah suggests toasting all of the pecans and coconut before adding them into the mix for a distinctive taste and a little crunch in the taste.
Martha Stewart: Instead, Marie suggests pinching a little sea salt on over the top for a contrasting sweet and salty touch.
Ina Garten: Lastly, Ilse suggests to really stick to good-quality vanilla extract for authentic flavor in your pralines.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will sweetened condensed milk work as well as evaporated milk in this recipe?
No, sweetened condensed milk is too thick and too sweet for evaporated milk due to its tendency to alter the overall texture and taste. Please, use evaporated milk as called for here.
What can I do about pralines that do not set?
If your pralines have not set up well, then this may have happened because the mixture was not cooked for a long enough period of time to reach the proper cooking degree. Do this: Gently reheat the praline mixture and put a bit of additional comer milk to it before recomposing again to desired temperature.
Can I make pralines without dairy?
Yes, you can use any dairy-free butter substitute and full-fat coconut milk in place of evaporated milk.
How do I avoid grains from forming in the pralines?
By stirring the sugar mixture continuously, you prevent the formation of sugar crystals, that is, grains. Do not scrape the sides of the saucepan.
Can chocolate be added to pralines?
Certainly. You can either drizzle melted chocolate over the pralines after they cool off, or you can stir mini chocolate chips into the mixture while it is still warm.
Can flavors be added to the pralines?
Absolutely! Recipe a splash of rum or almond extract, and you can even add a tiny bit of ground cinnamon for an exciting flavor injection.
What if my pralines turn out to be too sticky?
Being sticky is likely an indication that they were not cooked for long enough. Next time, ensure you let them come to soft-ball stage or else let them set for a little longer.
Can I tone their sweetness down?
Use unsweetened coconut for reduced sweetness by cutting back a little on the amount of granulated sugar, but be aware that that may somewhat affect the texture.
May pralines be made in very small servings?
Yes, utilize a smaller spoon, or scoop to make them into bite-sized praline pieces. Quicken the time at which they cool.
What can these pralines be served up with?
Serve them up with coffee, tea, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a marvelous dessert combination.
Conclusion:
A vegan peanut fudge is a rarefied treat, occasionally chewy, with the rich taste that tastes just awesome. These pralines, meaning no bake, are really easy to make along with an appropriate recipe. It is perfect for anytime, and the Southern cuisine-worthy treat in just a few steps. Yet another way to spend time with your fam, then wait for them to vanish!
