Pralines are even better made with buttermilk and bacon! Try this easy recipe for buttermilk bacon pralines for a fun dessert treat or cocktail nibble.
So, those of you who have been reading this blog for a while know all about my wild love affair with bacon. The bacon cinnamon rolls. The bacon pancakes. The bacon cheddar bagel panini. I thought I knew what true love was, bacon-wise.
And then one fateful day, I made buttermilk bacon pralines, and the universe shifted…bacon-wise. As the devoted wife of a Southern man, I’ve had my share of pralines, those sugary, pecan-filled circles of heaven. But until I ran across this recipe in Screen Doors and Sweet Tea
, I didn’t know what a praline truly could be. (Side note: you NEED this cookbook. So many amazing recipes!)
I actually didn’t think I ever would or could make a praline. But the bacon called out to me, and one afternoon I found myself with a candy thermometer, some pecans and a plate of bacon, and there was no turning back.
By the way, a quick word about candy thermometers. I used to be terrified of them. I would get to a recipe that looked fabulous, see the words “candy thermometer” and then wistfully turn the page. And then I bucked up and bought this one
, and my life has changed for the better, and believe me…if I can do it, so can you.
Back to the pralines. I promise you, they are SO simple, and once you make them you will wonder how you lived so long in this life without them.
Here’s how you make bacon buttermilk pralines!
All you do is boil up some sugar, some buttermilk and a few other things for about 20-30 minutes or until your trusty candy thermometer tells you it is ready. Then stir in some pecans, some vanilla, some orange peel and the BACON.
Drop it by spoonfuls onto parchment paper or a Silpat
silicone mat, and in about 30 minutes you will be changed forever.
While they are of course the perfect little dessert, the original recipe suggests they are equally perfect with a glass of wine before dinner…and I’m here to tell you that if you try that, you might not even NEED dinner.
Buttermilk Bacon Pralines
Prep Time: 5 minutes- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 pralines 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Method:
Cuisine:
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Pralines are even better made with buttermilk and bacon! Try this easy recipe for buttermilk bacon pralines for a fun dessert treat or cocktail nibble.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled into bits
Instructions
- Put the sugars, buttermilk, corn syrup, baking soda and salt in a heavy deep pot and cook slowly over medium heat for about 20 minutes, until the mixture reaches 235 on a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat and add butter, vanilla, pecans, orange zest and bacon and beat with a wooden spoon until creamy. Be very careful – this stuff is HOT.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a silicone mat or buttered parchment paper. Let stand for 30 minutes or until cool and firm (you can speed this up a bit by popping them in the fridge).
- Enjoy as a dessert treat or with your favorite cocktail!
Recipe from the amazing Screen Doors and Sweet Tea: Recipes and Tales from a Southern Cook
I believe you have just revolutionized pralines for all of us! that sweet and salty can't be anything but amazing.
Candy thermometer aside…..YUM!!! :-))
I love to cook. Your blog provides great information on various recepies….Love reading it…Keep the good work!!!
I love this recipe! I tried it out a few months ago and was blown away!
http://www.wickeddomestic.com/2011/01/27/buttermilk-and-bacon-pralines/
Awesome! I've found lots of excellent post on your site! very nice work you've done. thanks a lot for sharing..
I wasn't crazy about a bacon pecan pie I had recently, so perhaps I'm not as big a bacon fan as I thought I was. These DO look good, and I think I'll give this bacon/sweet idea one more try. After all, I do like syrup with my bacon!
i have an irrational fear of any recipe requiring a candy thermometer, but perhaps the proper tool will indeed take care of that! these are amazing, kate–bravo!
oh heck yes.
These sound like the most addicting treat ever, and I've been dying to use my new candy thermometer- perfect!
We can all form a candy thermometer support group! No fear! :)
Bacon pralines that’s a new combine right. I’ve never heard that one though I’m sure it’s tasty. I’ve seen and taste different pralines but this one is unique. I love to try that one out.
oh my!!!
I've stolen your recipe, and I'll be trying it out in a few weeks!!
I'm salivating just looking at it
Thanks!!
I own Martha Hall Foose's cookbook "Screen Doors & Sweet Tea" and I made these a couple nights ago, to serve alongside a Spinach, Roasted Golden Beet & Gorgonzola Salad and they were incredible!
I was looking for a way to use my home-cured bacon and these were the perfect showcase. I must add they were also great as an app the next day with red wine and, well….they're good just by themselves. Very addictive.
Thank you for posting the recipe. I know the process of posting recipes is time-consuming and you just saved me the work. Now when my friends & readers ask for the recipe I can just direct them to your website. In fact, I've already included a link to you from my website and Facebook page :)
Bacon will be my death … uhm, yes… by choice ! Thanks so much for posting these recipes. Be sure, I will be a regular visitor to this site (I’ve also signed up for your e-mail updates.
Me too! Thanks for coming by, and for reading Framed Cooks…see you back here soon! :)
I made these for a picnic in Central Park and your sister had some. :) http://lifestooshorttoskipdessert.blogspot.com/2012/07/buttermilk-bacon-pralines.html
Small world! So glad you liked them – they are one of my faves. ;)