These Sea Salted Praline Pecan Clusters are made in the microwave making them the quickest way to get your praline sweet fix in a snap. Premium pecan halves are cooked with butter, both granulated and brown sugars and a little cream, then finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. The hardest part about this recipe is waiting for the praline pecan clusters to set before they’re ready to eat. Invite a few friends over and watch these goodies disappear.
![Sea Salted Praline Pecan Clusters [Microwave]](https://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/editedSeaSaltedPralinePecanClusters-001-680x815.jpg)
The Southern Love For Pralines
Pralines are a beloved Southern classic. To make them, sugar and butter are boiled together with pecans then separated into sweet, caramelized, buttery clusters. For a girl who loves caramel, I can truthfully say they’re simply heavenly! This microwave version makes a fantastic small batch of homemade praline pecan clusters. Coarse sea salt adds the “salty” to the sweet and salty flavor combination that we love.
- I recommend that, you make these pralines in multiple batches instead of doubling or tripling the recipe for the best results.
- You can make them into any size you like. Allow ample time for the clusters to firm regardless of the size.
In a matter of minutes, you can enjoy homemade buttery pralines in the comfort of your own home. Warning…you may never buy pralines again.
Other Praline Pecan Recipes You May Like that are Similar to these Sea Salted Praline Pecan Clusters
The rich and classic flavor combination of caramel and pecans deserves its own food group, if you ask me. After you’ve made a batch of this recipe for Sea Salted Praline Pecan Clusters – Microwave you may like to Indulge in the following is this Pecan Praline Buttermilk Pound Cake or these Pecan Praline Cookies from The View from Great Island.
![Sea Salted Praline Pecan Clusters [Microwave]](https://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/editedSeaSaltedPecanPralineClusters-002.jpg)
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Sea Salted Praline Pecan Clusters [Microwave]
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1 1/4 cup pecan halves
- 1/4 tsp coarse sea salt plus additional for tops
- 1 tsp pure vanilla or rum extract
Instructions
- Instructions for 1000 Watt Microwave.
- Place all of the ingredients into a deep microwave safe bowl, reserving the vanilla until the end of cooking. The bowl should be deep enough to allow the mixture to boil, without boiling over.
- Cook in the microwave on high for 6 1/2 minutes, stopping to stir halfway through. The mixture will boil, so handle with care to avoid burning.
- After 6 1/2 minutes, stop and stir coating all of the pecans. The caramel should be thickened and beginning to form along the sides of the bowl. If the caramel is still runny, it needs to cook a bit longer. Microwave in additional 1 minute increments, if needed.
- Allow to cool on the counter for 15 seconds then mix in vanilla.
- Use a teaspoon, tablespoon or small cookie scoop to drop in clusters onto buttered wax paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Immediately sprinkle the tops with sea salt, if desired. Allow to cool and set.
Notes
- This recipe is based on a 1000 Watt microwave. If your microwave has a lower wattage it may take longer to cook. Likewise, if the microwave has a higher wattage, it may need less time.
- Another technique to test the caramel: Drop a small amount into a glass of cold water. If it becomes firm and you can roll it into a ball between 2 fingers, it's ready.
Melissa Jones says
Anyone tried half ingredients? Wondering on the time.
Neeley Spotts says
This recipe has become a staple of our holiday baking each year. Once I got down the perfect times for my microwave and noted them on the recipe for future reference, it is one of the easiest recipes in our baking repertoire. The first year I made it, I made three other more complicated and “big name” recipes for comparison and this recipe won all the taste tests, hands down!
Melissa says
How exciting, thanks!
Vicki Wilson says
Perfection.
Melissa says
Thank you!
Suzanne Morgan says
Is there a substitute for heavy cream?
Melissa says
Not for this recipe.
Laura L. says
I want to give as holiday gifts but don’t want to leave all my baking to the ladt minute. How do I store them and how long will they stay fresh?
Melissa says
Store them at room temperature in an airtight container up to one week.
Sue says
These were easy and very good. Came out perfect. I love pralines but hate making on stove. Always burn the pan bottom. I will make these for Christmas, for my give outs!
Melissa says
Hi Sue, I give these as gifts, too. I know your friends and family will love them, thank you!
Melissa Willette says
Once cooled, these were way to “grainy”. Taste was okay, but texture wasn’t very good. I followed the recipe to the T.
Melissa says
These have never turned out grainy for me and I make them often. It’s imperative you stir the mixture well before dropping onto wax paper to cool and be certain of the wattage of your microwave.
Bernadette says
Will these make the chewy or crumbly type of praline?
Melissa says
The texture of these pralines isn’t chewy.
Susie says
How do you store these? Can they be kept in the refrigerator? I would be making these for wedding favors. How many days in advance could I make them?
Melissa says
They can be kept in the refrigerator or at room temperature in an airtight container. 2-3 days in advance.
Crissie says
Ive made these several times without fail. Always amazing. Today I ended up with Chewies ????. My question is why…undercooked, overcooked? Any thoughts. Not gonna lie I’m still going to eat them, just curious so I know what went wrong ????
Melissa says
Hmmm, that’s an interesting result. Since you’ve made these several times did you change any of the ingredients i.e. used a different brand of butter or sugar? My first thought is they were slightly overcooked but, I’m not sure of that, honestly.
Wayne Ventresca says
Can you use dark brown sugar if that is all you have?
Melissa says
Hi Wayne, dark brown may be more prone to burn using this technique as it has more molasses content. If you try it, check it frequently, I can’t say for certain if it will work as I always use light brown. Let me know if you try it.
Rene! says
Can condensed milk be used instead of heavy cream?
Melissa says
The heavy cream is crucial to these pralines, I would recommend sticking with that.
Joyce says
Thank you.
Joyce says
Can salted 0r unsalted peanuts and/or cashews be substituted for the pecans?
Melissa says
You could probably use another type of nut but, this recipe is designed for pecans.
Carol Carratt says
Can you use parchment paper?
Melissa says
Wax paper is best.
joan says
I realize heavy cream is what’s in the recipe but I don’t have any and have no way of getting to the store. I see that they tell you not to use regular milk. Any chance that evaporated milk would do it or any other suggestion. would so love to try this recipe
Melissa says
I make this recipe just as written and the heavy cream is crucial to the outcome. You could of course, experiment but, I can’t say what the result would be.
Nicole says
OMG! I just made these. It works! I never have to spend money on over priced pralines again. YAY!!!!!
Melissa says
Exactly Nicole! Amazing right? Glad you enjoyed!
Sandy says
Ever tried it without the sea salt?
Melissa says
Oh yes of course, that can be left off with no other adjustments needed.
Melissa says
Hi Pam sounds perfect, enjoy!
PAM says
GOT SOME HEAVY CREAM THAT’S ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND ALL THE OTHE ITEMS. GONNA GIVE THIS AGO TOMORROW. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE YOUR POST AND SITE.
Tameko says
Melissa,
This recipe is absolutely divine! So easy to make. I have made these twice, and I almost are all of them!
Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
Melissa says
Hi Tameko!
I’m so happy you love these as much as I do. They’re so simple to make and work every time. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know.
Shellie says
Will do. I think I’m going to try a batch this evening. I’m hoping it’ll work.
Dianna Thompson says
I would probably just try freezing only a couple instead of the whole batch. Pecans caust too much to waste just saying
Melissa says
I have never frozen these, but, my thought would be they wouldn’t hold-up well. If you do a test run, let me know how it goes.
Shellie says
Can these be frozen? I thought I might start making batches of them now for a graduation party in a few weeks. We are having fajitas catersd, and these would be wonderful after dinnerm
Melissa says
Pralines don’t have to be made in the microwave, however, this particular recipe was developed that way. To make on the stovetop, the technique requires a candy thermometer and a different technique altogether.
Sandra says
Do you have to use a microwave? I don’t use one…don’t even have one.
Thanks
Melissa says
Hi Beth! I know, they are so simple, you can’t believe it until you actually try it. So happy you love these as much as I do, thanks for taking the time to let me know!
BethElderton says
OMGoodness! I saw this on FB about half an hour ago and thought, “No way!” So i got up and made them–my microwave took about 7 1/2 mins. Wonderful!!! Thank You! Pralines in about 20 mins any time–how good is that?!
Melissa says
Hi Anne, you make such a valid point. The cooking time will always depend on how your microwave cooks, with slight variations. So happy you loved these, we do too! I appreciate your note. ~ Melissa
angel says
Does this recipe make the chewy pralines? I would love to be able to make the chewy ones.
Melissa says
I’m not sure I would describe these as chewy but, they are quite delicious!
Anne H says
Thank you for a quick and delicious recipe! My microwave is 1100 watts so I cooked the pralines for 6 minutes and they hardened a little too quickly, so next time I’ll try a little less time. But these tasted so good!!!
Melissa says
I know, right? My sentiments exactly, enjoy! ☺ Melissa
Anonymous says
I love caramel, I love pecans, I love pralines – and what could be better than adding “easy” to it.
Mubeen Davis says
Yummy!!!!!!
Melissa says
Thanks!
Melissa says
LOL, I know, Linda. 🙂
Linda says
Be still my heart! Sounds delish Melissa:)
Catherine metcalfe says
Can you use whipping cream. Can’t seem to find heavy cream
Melissa says
Whipping cream has less fat content than heavy cream. Using it will change the texture, I would recommend waiting to make these until you have heavy cream.