Mom's Pecan Pralines Recipe

Louisiana Chef Jeremy Langlois shares his mother's prized recipe for this classic Louisiana treat.

A plate of pralines.

Cooling pralines are almost ready to eat. Recipe by Chef Jeremy Langlois.

When it comes to candy, sweet and savory pralines are Louisiana’s go-to treat. Beloved by Louisianians, pralines are basically a creamy fudge made from caramelized sugar, cream and butter, loaded with delicious, crunchy pecans.


While these tasty morsels are particularly popular in New Orleans, you can also find exceptional pralines at bakeries and candy shops wherever you go in Louisiana. Here are a few places we’d recommend trying on your travels: Ms. K’s Pralines in Metairie, Bayou Chocolate in West Monroe, Louisiana Creole Candy in Lafayette and Bernard’s Pralines in Baker.


At Latil’s Landing Restaurant at Houmas House Plantation, one of the stops on our Capital Cravings Trail, executive chef Jeremy Langlois has delicious memories of the pralines made by his mom. You can try his mom’s recipe for a true taste of Louisiana and find more of Jeremy Langlois' recipes on his site featuring Louisiana cuisine.

Ingredients for Pecan Pralines:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup pecans
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Method of preparation:

  1. In a small, thick-bottomed saucepan, combine all ingredients and heat over medium-high heat.  
  2. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for 6 minutes or until 240 degrees, stirring constantly.  
  3. Remove from heat and stir in butter until mixture thickens, becomes creamy and pecans stay suspended in mixture. 
  4. Spoon out on wax paper, aluminum foil or parchment paper.
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