Ever since she was a young girl and her father taught her how to cook, Tiana dreamed of owning a restaurant where she could serve all the classic New Orleans foods. Here's a traditional Louisiana melt-in-your mouth treat -- sweet pecan pralines -- that young aspiring restaurateurs can help make. The best part is that you don't need to prepare this recipe on the stovetop -- instead you heat the mixture in a microwave. The candies make a great gift, too. Just box a few up and add a homemade label.
What you'll need
- Waxed paper
- Cookie sheet
- Large microwavable bowl
- Wooden spoon
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons butter plus extra for greasing the waxed paper
- 1 cup pecan halves
- Teaspoon
How to make it
Line the cookie sheet with lightly buttered waxed paper and then set the sheet aside.
Combine the brown sugar, whipping cream, and salt in the microwavable bowl and have your child stir them with a wooden spoon until well mixed.
(Note: this step is a parent's job since the mixture will be extremely hot.) Microwave the mixture for 7 minutes on high, stir, and then microwave it for 4 more minutes. Remove the bowl from the microwave and let it set for a minute. Add the vanilla extract, butter, and pecans, and stir for 2 to 3 minutes, during which time the mixture will cool a bit and thicken.
Drop teaspoonfuls of the praline mixture onto the buttered waxed paper. Let the candies cool completely, and enjoy.
