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    Home » Recipes » Easy Microwave Praline Recipe

    Last updated: Jan 27, 2021 by Melissa Riker · 18 Comments

    Easy Microwave Praline Recipe

    Jump to Recipe
    microwave pralines on parchment paper

    It's easy to make homemade pralines, even without a candy thermometer! Make this Microwave Praline Recipe in just 15 minutes!

    pralines on parchment paper

    When I lived down in Charleston, SC I would love walking around the cobblestone streets of the market taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of my favorite city.  From the beautiful sweetgrass baskets to the clip-clop of horses toting tourists on carriage tours, I can almost take myself back there if I close my eyes! 

    If we were lucky as we walked down Market Street they would have samples of pralines to try outside the candy shops...sweet, melt in your mouth pralines are one of my favorite treats and perfect for holiday gift giving!

    How to make pralines without a candy thermometer

    Today I'm going to share with you the easiest way to make pralines-no candy thermometers here, just perfect pralines in 15 minutes! I hope you love this easy microwave praline recipe! (full printable recipe at bottom)

    1. Mix all ingredients
    2. Microwave 4 minutes
    3. Stir
    4. Microwave 5 minutes
    5. Let sit 1 minute
    6. Remove from microwave and stir until thickens
    7. Spoon onto buttered parchment paper and allow to cool
    close up of easy microwave pralines on parchment paper

    Tips for best results

    • Use a larger bowl than you think, the mixture bubbles up a lot in the microwave and you don't want it to spill and create a mess in the microwave.
    • Times listed below are for a 1000 watt microwave, which is what I had when I first published this post in 2013. In my current 1200 watt microwave, I use 4 minutes for the first time, stir, then 2 minutes, stir, and a final two minutes before letting it rest in the microwave for one minute.
    • Bowl will be HOT when you remove it from microwave, please use caution!
    • The mixture will thicken quickly as you stir after removing from the microwave. When the texture changes from shiny to more powdery you need to put the spoonfuls on the prepared sheet quickly.

    Most Important Microwave Praline Tip:

    I mentioned in the recipe but want to reiterate, this is not a recipe to pop in the microwave and walk away from.  Doing so could lead to burnt candy which is no fun. Microwaves vary a lot and you need to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't overheat and burn.  But that's about the most labor-intensive part of this recipe!

    FAQs

    What if my pralines start to harden before I can scoop them out onto the parchment paper?

    Add a teaspoon or two of hot water to the mix, stir, and keep scooping.

    How long does it take the pralines to harden?

    This microwave version is usually completely set in 20-30 minutes.

    How long do pralines last?

    Keep these in an airtight container up to 3 weeks.

    Why do my pralines have white spots?

    The white spots are the result of the sugar recrystallizing and simply mean you didn't stir the mixture enough during the cooking process.

    Can I freeze pralines?

    Yes, freeze in an airtight freezer container up to 3 months. Pralines are delicate and should not be frozen in a freezer bag.

    pralines on parchment paper

    Do you love pralines? Have you tried this microwave version before?

    You might also like these fast dessert recipes:

    • Microwave Peanut Brittle
    • Peanut Butter Pie
    • Christmas Crack Recipe

    If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

    Print
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    pralines on parchment paper

    Easy Microwave Pralines

    ★★★★★ 5 from 7 reviews
    • Author: Melissa Riker
    • Prep Time: 5 mins
    • Cook Time: 9 mins
    • Total Time: 14 mins
    • Yield: 15 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: microwave
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    It's easy to make homemade pralines, even without a candy thermometer! Make these Microwave Pralines in just 15 minutes!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
    • ⅔ cup heavy cream
    • 1 ½ cup pecan halves
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • ⅛ tsp salt (optional)
    • 2 tbsp margarine or butter

    Instructions

    1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining with parchment paper and greasing with butter.
    2. Mix all ingredients in a large microwave-safe bowl.
    3. Microwave 4 minutes, stir.
    4. Microwave an additional 5 minutes-times are for 1000 watt microwave, watch your praline mixture closely as time may vary
    5. Let sit in microwave one minute.
    6. Remove from microwave, mixture will be bubbling.
    7. Stir for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
    8. Spoon by teaspoonfuls onto buttered parchment paper and allow to cool.

    Notes

    • Use a larger bowl than you think, the mixture bubbles up a lot in the microwave and you don't want it to spill and create a mess in the microwave.
    • Times listed below are for a 1000 watt microwave, which is what I had when I first published this post in 2013. In my current 1200 watt microwave, I use 4 minutes for the first time, stir, then 2 minutes, stir, and a final two minutes before letting it rest in the microwave for one minute.
    • Bowl will be HOT when you remove it from microwave, please use caution!
    • The mixture will thicken quickly as you stir after removing from the microwave. When the texture changes from shiny to more powdery you need to put the spoonfuls on the prepared sheet quickly.

    Keywords: microwave, praline

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @thehappierhomemaker — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    *This post was originally published in November of 2013 and was updated with new pictures and additional instructions January 2021.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pat says

      November 17, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      First time making pralines. Couldn’t get any easier. I plan to crumble them up o top of my sweet potatoes for thanksgiving. Great taste.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        November 23, 2021 at 10:34 am

        So glad you liked them!

        Reply
    2. Sylvia says

      December 19, 2020 at 6:17 pm

      Perfection! I have an 1100 watt microwave. I noticed the cooking time for the 1000 was 9 minutes and 8 for the 1200, so I did 4 minutes, stir. 2-1/2 minutes, stir, and 2 minutes and final stir. They came out great! Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        December 21, 2020 at 1:44 pm

        So glad you liked them, they are one of my favorites!

        Reply
    3. Alice says

      October 16, 2019 at 9:30 pm

      Fabulous!!!! 💗💗💗

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        October 21, 2019 at 7:59 pm

        Glad you liked them Alice!!!!

        Reply
    4. Cynthia Bliss says

      December 23, 2018 at 12:12 am

      I worked out the calories on my iPad and it comes to 3290 for the whole recipe. That devided by 36 equals 92 calories a piece.And this depends on how you size them. If you make them larger than in the recipe then the calories will be more. At least you have the accurate calorie count so that you can make them and then divide by how many you get

      I also made them with evaporated milk and they came out looking and tasting just fine.The calorie count was 2926 for the Evaporated Milk .364 calories less and less fat also.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Cynthia Bliss says

      December 22, 2018 at 2:25 am

      I used double cupcake liners in muffin tins to pour them into. I also used evaporated milk since I had a couple of cans that I wanted to use. ( I still have one can left.).I waited for them to cool and then put in plastic containers to store.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Yogesh says

      December 17, 2018 at 1:29 am

      Look delicious ??

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Melissa says

      December 13, 2018 at 8:40 am

      these turned out great!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. princess says

      March 19, 2018 at 12:24 am

      Good recipe thank gosh I can make pralines

      Reply
    9. Lizzie says

      March 31, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      Very few recipes find themselves onto my "love and make over and over" list, but these are the BEST! No fail and delicious each time!!

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        April 04, 2016 at 8:56 am

        I'm so glad Lizzie-I love them too, I like to make them as gifts around Christmas especially! Thanks for taking the time to let me know what you thought!

        Reply
    10. Spezielle Eheringe erschaffen aus Gold says

      June 26, 2014 at 12:35 pm

      My partner and I stumbled over here different
      website and thought I should check things out. I like
      what I see so now i am following you. Look forward
      to going over your web page again.

      Reply
    11. Beth says

      December 04, 2013 at 9:19 pm

      I think I will try these this weekend.

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        December 04, 2013 at 10:51 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that Beth-they were so much easier than the traditional method for me and my family LOVED them!

        Reply
    12. Vanessa says

      November 16, 2013 at 9:27 am

      Totally craving these now at 6:30 in the morning!

      Reply
    13. keri @ shaken together says

      November 13, 2013 at 8:44 pm

      Love that this is a microwave recipe - adding this to my no bake Pinterest board 🙂

      Reply

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