Easy Pralines

Only two more days until our big open house and we have been busy finishing up yard work, some home improvement projects and lots of cooking and baking.  I am so excited about our menu! We couldn't decide what we wanted for dessert, so we decided to go with a dessert buffet.

 Along with the standard cupcakes and sugar cookies we are having pecan tarts, lemon bars, chocolate covered pretzels and my favorite--pralines!

 

-Don't forget there are still a few more days to enter to win a signed and bound copy of my Shortcut Cooking cookbook.  Just leave a comment here.

Easy Pralines

1 C. brown sugar, packed
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. half 'n half or heavy cream
3 Tbsp. butter
1 C. pecan halves
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Combine brown sugar, sugar and half 'n half in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Heat to 225 degrees (continuing to stir) and then add butter and pecans, keep stirring until temperature reaches 236 degrees.  Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Add vanilla and beat mixture with a wooden spoon until thick and pecans are coated but candy still has a shine.  Quickly drop by tablespoonfuls unto parchment paper.

-Instead of the vanilla you can add spiced rum or bourbon for a little extra kick.

Easy Pralines

Only two more days until our big open house and we have been busy finishing up yard work, some home improvement projects and lots of cooking and baking.  I am so excited about our menu! We couldn't decide what we wanted for dessert, so we decided to go with a dessert buffet.

 Along with the standard cupcakes and sugar cookies we are having pecan tarts, lemon bars, chocolate covered pretzels and my favorite--pralines!

 

-Don't forget there are still a few more days to enter to win a signed and bound copy of my Shortcut Cooking cookbook.  Just leave a comment here.

Easy Pralines

1 C. brown sugar, packed
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. half 'n half or heavy cream
3 Tbsp. butter
1 C. pecan halves
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Combine brown sugar, sugar and half 'n half in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Heat to 225 degrees (continuing to stir) and then add butter and pecans, keep stirring until temperature reaches 236 degrees.  Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Add vanilla and beat mixture with a wooden spoon until thick and pecans are coated but candy still has a shine.  Quickly drop by tablespoonfuls unto parchment paper.

-Instead of the vanilla you can add spiced rum or bourbon for a little extra kick.

Easy Pralines

Only two more days until our big open house and we have been busy finishing up yard work, some home improvement projects and lots of cooking and baking.  I am so excited about our menu! We couldn't decide what we wanted for dessert, so we decided to go with a dessert buffet.

 Along with the standard cupcakes and sugar cookies we are having pecan tarts, lemon bars, chocolate covered pretzels and my favorite--pralines!

 

-Don't forget there are still a few more days to enter to win a signed and bound copy of my Shortcut Cooking cookbook.  Just leave a comment here.

Easy Pralines

1 C. brown sugar, packed
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. half 'n half or heavy cream
3 Tbsp. butter
1 C. pecan halves
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Combine brown sugar, sugar and half 'n half in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Heat to 225 degrees (continuing to stir) and then add butter and pecans, keep stirring until temperature reaches 236 degrees.  Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Add vanilla and beat mixture with a wooden spoon until thick and pecans are coated but candy still has a shine.  Quickly drop by tablespoonfuls unto parchment paper.

-Instead of the vanilla you can add spiced rum or bourbon for a little extra kick.

Easy Pralines

Only two more days until our big open house and we have been busy finishing up yard work, some home improvement projects and lots of cooking and baking.  I am so excited about our menu! We couldn't decide what we wanted for dessert, so we decided to go with a dessert buffet.

 Along with the standard cupcakes and sugar cookies we are having pecan tarts, lemon bars, chocolate covered pretzels and my favorite--pralines!

 

-Don't forget there are still a few more days to enter to win a signed and bound copy of my Shortcut Cooking cookbook.  Just leave a comment here.

Easy Pralines

1 C. brown sugar, packed
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. half 'n half or heavy cream
3 Tbsp. butter
1 C. pecan halves
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Combine brown sugar, sugar and half 'n half in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Heat to 225 degrees (continuing to stir) and then add butter and pecans, keep stirring until temperature reaches 236 degrees.  Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Add vanilla and beat mixture with a wooden spoon until thick and pecans are coated but candy still has a shine.  Quickly drop by tablespoonfuls unto parchment paper.

-Instead of the vanilla you can add spiced rum or bourbon for a little extra kick.

Easter Basket Candy

Easter is right around the corner and it is one of my favorite times of the year for making little treats to share with others. My mom got this idea out of a magazine many years ago and we have been making them ever since then. They are always a hit with the little ones!

Easter Basket Candy

You need just a few simple ingredients:

Mini peanut butter cups
Chocolate covered round pretzels (or you could use regular round pretzels, black string licorice, etc..)
Green frosting (store bought or homemade)
Egg shaped candy or sprinkles

Peanut butter cups, round pretzels and frosting

egg shaped candy and sprinkles

A special grass tip for frosting (#233) is extremely helpful, but not necessary!

wilton tip #233

Unwrap the peanut butter cups and cut the bottom third off from the pretzels to form the handle.

cut pretzel for handle

Pipe or spread the frosting onto the peanut butter cup.

Add your candy eggs or sprinkles

Top with the handles and you are done!

I love to package these up in egg cartons and add a tag for easy transportation and gift giving.

Easter Basket Candy

Easter is right around the corner and it is one of my favorite times of the year for making little treats to share with others. My mom got this idea out of a magazine many years ago and we have been making them ever since then. They are always a hit with the little ones!

Easter Basket Candy

You need just a few simple ingredients:

Mini peanut butter cups
Chocolate covered round pretzels (or you could use regular round pretzels, black string licorice, etc..)
Green frosting (store bought or homemade)
Egg shaped candy or sprinkles

Peanut butter cups, round pretzels and frosting

egg shaped candy and sprinkles

A special grass tip for frosting (#233) is extremely helpful, but not necessary!

wilton tip #233

Unwrap the peanut butter cups and cut the bottom third off from the pretzels to form the handle.

cut pretzel for handle

Pipe or spread the frosting onto the peanut butter cup.

Add your candy eggs or sprinkles

Top with the handles and you are done!

I love to package these up in egg cartons and add a tag for easy transportation and gift giving.

Easter Basket Candy

Easter is right around the corner and it is one of my favorite times of the year for making little treats to share with others. My mom got this idea out of a magazine many years ago and we have been making them ever since then. They are always a hit with the little ones!

Easter Basket Candy

You need just a few simple ingredients:

Mini peanut butter cups
Chocolate covered round pretzels (or you could use regular round pretzels, black string licorice, etc..)
Green frosting (store bought or homemade)
Egg shaped candy or sprinkles

Peanut butter cups, round pretzels and frosting

egg shaped candy and sprinkles

A special grass tip for frosting (#233) is extremely helpful, but not necessary!

wilton tip #233

Unwrap the peanut butter cups and cut the bottom third off from the pretzels to form the handle.

cut pretzel for handle

Pipe or spread the frosting onto the peanut butter cup.

Add your candy eggs or sprinkles

Top with the handles and you are done!

I love to package these up in egg cartons and add a tag for easy transportation and gift giving.

Easter Basket Candy

Easter is right around the corner and it is one of my favorite times of the year for making little treats to share with others. My mom got this idea out of a magazine many years ago and we have been making them ever since then. They are always a hit with the little ones!

Easter Basket Candy

You need just a few simple ingredients:

Mini peanut butter cups
Chocolate covered round pretzels (or you could use regular round pretzels, black string licorice, etc..)
Green frosting (store bought or homemade)
Egg shaped candy or sprinkles

Peanut butter cups, round pretzels and frosting

egg shaped candy and sprinkles

A special grass tip for frosting (#233) is extremely helpful, but not necessary!

wilton tip #233

Unwrap the peanut butter cups and cut the bottom third off from the pretzels to form the handle.

cut pretzel for handle

Pipe or spread the frosting onto the peanut butter cup.

Add your candy eggs or sprinkles

Top with the handles and you are done!

I love to package these up in egg cartons and add a tag for easy transportation and gift giving.