Making pralines, a gooey pecan-embedded caramel concoction, is a Christmas tradition in many kitchens in the South. Cookbook author Nathalie Dupree wrote in Southern Memories: "I can't imagine a world without pralines."
This family recipe for pralines appears in the print edition of my Christmas romance Nobody's Cinderella which will be available in mid-December. Luckily, you get it now.
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Magic Christmas Pralines Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk or ½ cup of each
2 tablespoons butter
2 ½ cups pecans
Equipment:
Heavy saucepan or skillet
Candy thermometer
Silicone mat or parchment paper
a Tablespoon
Procedure:
Place sugar and cream in the heavy bottomed pot. Turn on the heat and stir to mix. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook over medium heat until the candy thermometer registers 238 degrees.
Stir well and continue cooking until candy thermometer registers 245 degrees.
Remove from heat. Quickly spoon the hot mixture onto a silicone mat or a sheet or parchment paper.
The pralines will spread and crystallize as they cool.
When they are completely cool, wrap each piece individually in a piece of wax paper -- or small paper doily if you want to package them for a gift. Store in an airtight container.
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Darcy is the oldest cliche in the world--a woman in love with her boss. Other than that, she's no-nonsense, practical, mature, and sober. She's the kind of woman Chase Whitaker wants as head of accounting for his company. She's definitely not the kind of woman he wants in his bed.
Blessed with a killer hoop shot instead of feminine wiles, thanks to her 3 brothers, she hasn't a clue as to how to attract Chase's interest. She's nothing like the swinging hotties that he dates, but Darcy's meddling, matchmaking best friend has a plan to transform Darcy into the ultimate hottie--just the kind of woman Chase likes. All it takes? A couple of little lies. And a wish on a Christmas star.
The lies turn out to be not so little, and Darcy gets way more than she bargained for. You know what they say about wishes? Be careful what you wish for.
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Thank you for hosting me on Romance Cooks. I've been moving this past week so it's a joy to finally get my computer plugged in again and get online. I'm looking forward to the other holiday recipes that you'll be publishing.