PISTACHIO PRALINES

Pistachio Pralines image

Yield Makes about 60 pralines

Number Of Ingredients 9

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parchment paper
1 1/2 cups (8 ounces) shelled natural pistachios
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 cups packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil 2 large baking sheets and line with parchment paper.
In a baking pan spread pistachios evenly and toast in middle of oven until fragrant, about 10 minutes. In a bowl toss hot pistachios with butter and granulated sugar and cool completely.
In a 4-quart heavy saucepan cook brown sugars, cream, and salt over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon and washing down any sugar crystals clinging to side of pan with a brush dipped in cold water, until sugars are completely dissolved, about 10 minutes. Increase heat to moderate and boil mixture, without stirring, until a candy or digital thermometer registers 238°F. Remove pan from heat (leave thermometer in pan) and cool mixture until thermometer registers 220°F, about 5 to 10 minutes. With a wooden spoon stir in vanilla and vigorously stir mixture until creamy and beginning to lose its sheen. Working quickly, drop mixture by teaspoons onto baking sheets and top each praline with 3 pistachios. (If mixture becomes too stiff to spoon, warm it over low heat, stirring, until just workable.) Let pralines stand at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour. Pralines keep, layered between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container at cool room temperature or chilled, 1 week.