Pumpkin Pralines

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As y’all know.  I have a massive sweet tooth.  I can not pass up on chocolate or any of those amazing sweet treats around the holidays.  Mom always made the most amazing treats and sweets from Halloween all the way through Christmas.  Her caramels which were my from my great grandmother Blanches recipe, were to die for and still are, the  Buckeyes are legendary with my friends and her Jim Dandy Cookies are still my favorite of all.

So, last night I was working on some recipes for the upcoming holidays, when I saw a recipe in my collection for Pralines.  I fell in love with pralines 3 years ago on my first visit to Savannah. I stumbled upon Savannah Candy Kitchen, and I realized I had found Heaven on earth.  From the pralines to the gophers, and the caramel apples to the fudge, I was like a kid in the proverbial candy store (or my moms kitchen).  I now always make it one of my first stops when I go to Savannah to see my friend Paula.

I was working on some pumpkin recipes when I found this one.  So I began thinking that maybe a pumpkin praline might taste pretty good for this time of year.  So even though it was after 10pm, I had to give it a try.  I put together some different things to make this treat more of a Halloween seasonal treat.  I have to admit, I totally surprised myself.  They came out somewhat a combination of a crispy praline and a chewy caramel due to the puree.  None the less, they are awesome and have now become one of my favorite Halloween recipes.

I hope y’all give them a try and enjoy them.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup crushed pecans (whole if you prefer)

Mix first 6 ingredients in a heavy sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Cover pan for 2 minutes to sweat down any sugar on side of pan.  Uncover and stir continuously to a temperature of 236 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and pecans.  Stir continuously for a few minutes until mixture thickens.

Drop on wax paper in tablespoon size portions.  If mixture thickens to much, you can add a few drops of water to thin out.

Let cool and dry for 30-45 minutes before eating.  ( I didn’t last, I ate one while still warm and it was delicious)