• Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
    • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Blog

The Domestic Rebel

Everyday Ingredients, Extraordinary Desserts

  • Recipe Index
    • Browse by Flavor
      • Cake Batter
      • Caramel
      • Cheesecake
      • Coconut
      • Coffee
      • Cookie Dough
      • Lemon
      • Mint
      • Peanut Butter
      • Pumpkin
      • S’mores
      • Snickerdoodle
      • Sweet and Salty
    • Brownies, Blondies & Bars
    • Brownie Bombs
    • Candy, Bark, and Candy Toppers
    • Chocolate
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes & Cake
    • Donuts & Other Breakfast Fare
    • Drinks
    • Fudge
    • Guilt-Free Treats
    • Holiday Goodies
    • Ice Cream & Frozen Confections
    • No-Bake Treats
    • Pie
    • Miscellaneous Truffles & Treats
  • Cookbooks
  • Work With Me

Foolproof Microwave Southern Pralines

November 6, 2019 by thedomesticrebel | 35 Comments

14820 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

microwave southern pralines stacked on light wood with white bowl in background

You guys will never believe how EASY these Foolproof Microwave Southern Pralines are! Made 100% in the microwave, they require NO special candy thermometer and are made in minutes yet taste like traditional, authentic Southern Pralines!

YOU GUYS. Sorry for screaming but also I’m not sorry because these pralines.

They are a GAME CHANGER. A life changer. Seriously INCREDIBLE. You are going to flip!!

I am a HUGE praline fan. In fact, it is one of my favorite candies but I almost never have them. California is ahead of the curve for many things, but Southern candy specialties is not one of them. It is virtually impossible to find southern-style pralines anywhere in California – our claim to fame seems to be salt water taffy which, meh.

The first time I had a praline, I was in the Atlanta airport, of all places. I walked by a Savannah Candy Kitchen store while I was killing time in between flights and decided to try these candies which I’d been lusting after for so long. I bought four or five pralines, thinking I’d share some with my family when I got back home… but I ate ALL of them before the flight home even began. Oops! They are just so irresistible! Besides my brief foray at the ATL airport, I’ve only ever been to Texas and Arkansas, so I have yet to try New Orleans pralines!

The reason why I never tried to make them prior to my airport experience was because I had an irrational fear of candy thermometers for the longest time. There’s something about boiling, molten sugar and precision with a thermometer that just gave me the heebie jeebies. Not to mention all that stuff about “hard crack, soft ball, hard ball” and the “tips” about dropping hot candy into water to see if it threads…????? I mean, that is WAY too technical for me.

But then I got over my fear of candy making equipment and made these pralines which are my favorite! Pretty simple and taste awesome!

southern pralines on white woodBut THESE Foolproof Pralines are really, really easy. Like, SO foolproof/goofproof/idiotproof that anyone can make them without candy making experience necessary. I made them twice, consecutively, and both times yielded the most amazing, perfect, authentic tasting pralines.

If you’ve never had a praline before, they are a candy that’s firm but yielding to your bite with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s studded with toasty pecans. So divine.

These pralines are made with similar ingredients to a traditional recipe: heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, butter, pecans and vanilla. So delicious.

southern pralines in white bowl with purple fabric in backgroundEverything is done in the microwave, of all places, which is the beauty of this recipe. The microwave is the unsung hero because it just does all the work for you. All you have to do is set the timer and stir it when the recipe states to. Once it’s done in the microwave, you’ll beat it with a wooden spoon until thickened and then drop mounds of it onto parchment-lined baking sheets to cool and set.

This is going to be one of my go-to praline recipes from now on. It’s just so stinkin’ simple! I think you’ll agree!

small trio of southern pralines stacked on light wood with white bowl in background

split open southern pralines on white wood

 

These Foolproof Microwave Southern Pralines are a MUST make! SO simple, made entirely in the microwave with NO candy thermometer needed! It makes buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, authentic tasting Southern Pralines that are to die for!
Print Recipe
4.67 from 9 votes

Foolproof Microwave Southern Pralines

These Perfectly Foolproof Microwave Pralines taste totally authentic but are made entirely in the microwave with NO candy thermometer!!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time8 mins
Total Time28 mins
Course: Candy
Servings: 9 -12
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups granulated white sugar
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk or heavy whipping cream
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • First: know the wattage of your microwave. This recipe works best on a 1000-watt microwave. If your microwave is less than 1000-watts, you may need to increase the cooking time. If it is higher than 1000-watts, you may want to decrease the cooking time.
  • In a large plastic microwaveable bowl, add in the sugar, heavy cream, salt, butter, and pecans. Do not stir. Microwave on HIGH power for 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave and stir for 30 seconds. Microwave again on HIGH power for another 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave and stir for about 45 seconds. Lastly, microwave once more for 2 minutes and 30 seconds on HIGH power.
  • Remove from the microwave and add in the vanilla. Beat the mixture with a wooden spoon, stirring vigorously until mixture becomes thickened and cloudy/dull in color, about 2 minutes or so.
  • Working quickly, drop heaping spoonfuls of the pralines onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow pralines to cool and set at room temperature before storing in an airtight container.

These pralines are so buttery, melt-in-your-mouth and DELICIOUS. I know you’re going to love them!

microwave southern pralines collage

Have a super sweet day!

xo, Hayley

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Comments

  1. Maryann says

    November 7, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing girl you are a genius! Can’t wait to try them!

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 7, 2019 at 6:11 pm

      Thanks, Maryann!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        February 21, 2021 at 5:30 pm

        5 stars
        Finally I made microwave pralines!!!! Excellent. I have an 1150 watt microwave and multiplied the time x .87 and they came out perfect. Now I don’t have to go to New Orleans!!!! very happy

        Reply
  2. Pegi says

    November 7, 2019 at 5:46 pm

    5 stars
    Are the pecans roasted or raw?

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 7, 2019 at 6:10 pm

      Hi Pegi, you can certainly toast them before proceeding with the recipe, but I left mine raw.

      Reply
  3. Miranda says

    November 13, 2019 at 9:23 pm

    Looks wonderful. How long do they stay good? I’m thinking of Christmas gifts.?

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 14, 2019 at 7:15 pm

      Hi Miranda, I would say they’d be good airtight for about a week!

      Reply
  4. Linda says

    November 14, 2019 at 3:33 am

    5 stars
    Hi, made these with my daughter this past weekend using your recipe with the sweeened condensed milk. They were as easy as you say and a huge hit. My question is what is the difference in outcome with this new recipe formulation?

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 14, 2019 at 7:15 pm

      Hi Linda! You can actually use heavy cream or sweetened condensed milk in this recipe. There is no difference, really – both will yield virtually the same results.

      Reply
      • Linda says

        November 15, 2019 at 11:31 am

        Thanks! We are going to make another batch as a hostess gift for Thanksgiving! Great recipe.

        Reply
      • Kelly says

        March 30, 2020 at 10:40 am

        Does it not make them too sweet using sweetened condensed milk instead of heavy cream?

        Reply
        • thedomesticrebel says

          March 30, 2020 at 1:34 pm

          Hi Kelly, yes, pralines are notoriously very sweet, and the sweetened condensed milk does make them quite sweet! You can always use heavy cream instead.

          Reply
  5. Cindy says

    November 17, 2019 at 9:10 am

    Easy but grainy and not as shiny

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 18, 2019 at 9:55 am

      Hi Cindy! I went ahead and re-tested the recipe using more heavy cream/sweetened condensed milk. I found the condensed milk gives the shinier appearance, so use that in place of heavy cream. And hopefully now you’ll find they aren’t grainy.

      Reply
  6. Nikki says

    November 20, 2019 at 7:59 am

    I plan on trying out this recipe tonight.. What brand of butter do you use?

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 20, 2019 at 8:12 am

      Hi Nikki, honestly whatever is on sale, ha! I like using unsalted butter so I can control the salt in the recipe. But if you use salted butter, just omit the actual salt from the recipe.

      Reply
  7. Alexandra-Sanja says

    December 16, 2019 at 8:08 am

    5 stars
    Hello dear, would you be so kind to give us recipe in European measurements?

    Reply
  8. Taylor says

    December 17, 2019 at 9:18 am

    Hi! How many pralines will this make, and do you suggest doubling the recipe or just making multiple batches? I am making quite a lot for Christmas gifts and came across this recipe to save me some time versus my usual method 🙂

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      December 17, 2019 at 7:50 pm

      Hi Taylor! Depending on the size of your spoon/scoop and how much you scoop, this could make anywhere from 8-10 large-ish ones, or maybe 12-15 smaller size ones I’d think! And as with any candy recipe, I recommend making multiple batches rather than doubling up. It just makes for more consistent results, as I do feel that doubling the recipe would change the consistency and/or the texture since I feel like the cook time would also be affected.

      Reply
  9. Rob says

    December 20, 2019 at 1:01 pm

    Why the plastic bowl instead of glass?

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      December 20, 2019 at 5:35 pm

      Hi Rob! I generally prefer to stay away from glass pans and bowls because I find they conduct heat differently and yield inconsistent results.

      Reply
  10. Sheryl says

    February 17, 2020 at 8:36 am

    Will the outside weather affect the outcome of this recipe?

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      February 17, 2020 at 8:43 am

      Hi Sheryl, yes, rumor has it that humid temperatures outside may affect candy outcomes. It may make it harder for the pralines to set up. However, I would still try it anyway!

      Reply
  11. Adela says

    February 29, 2020 at 6:59 am

    5 stars
    Great recipe i tryed it with whiiping cream not heavy did on a 1200 watts for 10 minutes everyone loved them thanks

    Reply
  12. Reba says

    November 4, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    Going to try your recipe what adjustments do I make for high altitude? Denver, Colorado

    Reply
    • thedomesticrebel says

      November 4, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      Hi Reba, unfortunately I am not familiar with high altitude adjustments so I cannot say for sure!

      Reply
      • Reba says

        November 4, 2020 at 4:53 pm

        Thanks

        Reply
        • Anita says

          November 15, 2020 at 4:57 pm

          I am at 5500, followed the recipe for a 1200 watt, worked great for me

          Reply
  13. Phyllis says

    December 3, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve found that roasting pecans in oven few min, just til fragrant makes a Huge difference in the quality of taste of a praline. Huge. Give it a go!

    Reply
  14. Ninpfan says

    February 11, 2021 at 11:15 am

    3 stars
    I have 1000 watt microwave & it boils over & made horrid mess in just step #2 at 2 min. & can’t go the full 2 min in step #3 either, only about 1:30 or 40. Tried with sweetened condensed.milk & heavy whipping cream & both ways came out grainy. Also doesn’t set at the times I was able to go to before boiling over. I had to keep heating it to point of about to boil over several more times & had to addd more butter (2 tbs more – have seen another recipe same as yours but with 4 tbs butter) which I added in the last several heatings. Tried with light brown sugar, subbing some maple syrup, even adding some baking soda at end ( stove recipes have b.s. in it) which I also added in the last few heatings – seemed to need @3 more heats before candy would cool into something firm enough to remove from paper in 1 piece. Was very tasty, just could Get the texture I thought should be, came out like grainy fudge. Used largest plastic bowl I had but was not as big as a large glass or steel mixing bowl, more med. size, was that my problem? I can say I added 1/8 tsp sriracha powder (sans seeds) & 1 tsp Organic ginger powder, which helped off set the extreme sweetness without adding any obvious heat (I don’t like spicy foods.). I was actually surprised that the ginger flavor was barely detectable. I’m not sure anyone would even know I’d added either, my Sister didn’t. I used walnuts once & that was delicious too, tried pistachios but they didn’t have right mouth feel. Another time short on pecans, I added chopped dates, which was delicious, but made candy very dark. They pretty much melted into candy body, next time I’ll try larger chunks & use whole dried dates I chop up myself instead prechopped. I think cashews would work well as a nut substitute & May try dried apricots &/or candied ginger for fun flavor additions. Just wish I could get the texture right. I even checked temperature w/digital thermometer & it never got above 220F, I know stove recipes say to boil until reaches 230F but it boiled over before getting that hot. Any suggestions? Also, why is it the amount of sugar isn’t changed if using heavy cream instead of sweetened condensed milk, as obviously the SCM has a much higher sugar content? It only seems logical that you’d add more with the HWC? Thanks for providing such a fun recipe even if I can’t get it to work. All I can think is I need a bigger bowl? Would that make that much of a difference? Because why did it boil over in step#2 when you don’t even show it reaching the roiling boil point until step #3?

    Reply
  15. Ashley says

    June 16, 2021 at 6:44 pm

    Has anyone tried this with a 700 watt microwave? I’m trying to figure out the time changes.

    Reply
  16. Carole says

    July 13, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    I just made these with a 1600 W microwave and did have to adjust the time down. I found a conversion chart. I like what I did but I wonder if you couldn’t substitute brown sugar for the white sugar

    Reply
  17. Becky Land says

    February 13, 2022 at 12:36 pm

    4 stars
    I made this recipe with the sweetened condensed milk. I used an 8 cup bowl but it was not near large enough. I also have a 1200 watt microwave so I cut the time each of the three times in the microwave. But it boiled over each of the three times and made a gosh awful sticky mess on everything. What size bowl would you recommend? The flavor is good and they are not grainy. I have 38 pralines so I must not make them as large as you do.. I am going to try it with the heavy cream but a much larger bowl. Any advice on the bowl size would be helpful. And whether or not the boiling over was due to leaving it in too long each time.

    Thanks

    Reply
  18. Ann says

    October 13, 2022 at 11:47 am

    Have you ever thought about added a pkg of butterscotch jello pudding mix to your recipe the small box? Delicious!!!

    Reply
  19. Charlene says

    December 22, 2022 at 6:36 am

    Thank you so much for this recipe, just like my mom used to make but a lot easier. Going to make some more later today, better then using the candy thermometer, Thanks again

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




About me

Welcome to The Domestic Rebel! My name is Hayley and I am the 31-year old writer, photographer, recipe developer, taste-tester and creator of this blog. I’m so glad you’ve stopped by my little slice of sprinkly, butter-laden heaven on the interwebs. If it wasn’t apparent, I like to bake… a lot. Read More…

Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Featured Post

the photographer is holding a carrot cake cheesecake bar against a lightly colored dotted background.

Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars

More Posts from this Category

Newsletter

Stay up to date with all posts

Order My Cookbooks!

Out of the box Holiday

Archives

Archives

Categories

Search

Visit my Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Designer Blogs

14820 shares