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You might not be familiar with the sugary treats known as pralines, but this little confection might just be your new favorite thing! Both rich in flavor and in its global history, this dessert had been around for centuries and continues to delight people with its sweet and nutty flavor. Depending on where you are in the world, the dessert either resembles a small gourmet candy or something approaching a cookie, but no matter where you decide to sample this delicious morsel, you are sure to be delighted by its delectable taste! So what are these delightful sounding pralines and where can you find them? The most basic definition is a confection made from sugar and ground or crushed nuts. That is about where the similarities end. The treat originated in France, where, today, it is reminiscent of candied nuts. The French coat almonds or hazelnuts in a sugar mixture then crush them and add the powder to all manner of confections and candies. A favorite French treat is to add the crushed mixture to chocolate, making a sweet candy that is enjoyed throughout Europe. Louisiana, a former French colony, is where the American version of this treat originated. American pralines use slightly different ingredients, since almonds and hazelnuts were not widely available in the American South. Instead, settlers, and later confectioners, used the native pecan as the main nut in this candy. The American treat is made by combining pecans, brown sugar, butter and cream and melting them together over medium heat. Once properly cooked, spoonfuls are dropped on to wax paper and allowed to cool. The result is a New Orleans institution. Usually about the size of a cookie, the texture of this American version of the candy is both smooth and slightly crumbly. The Belgians have their own take on pralines, which differs quite significantly from the French and American styles. Belgian chocolatiers first create a hard chocolate with a hollow center, to which they then add a liquid, cream or nutty filling on the inside. Simply known as "chocolates" to many outside the country, these are perhaps the most different from the other types. Sometimes they don't even contain nuts at all! Since this style varies so significantly from the others, it is likely that the word changed meaning in Belgium when it was a French controlled part of Europe. Still, it is a delightful sweet that many both within and outside of the country enjoy. Since these treats are so sweet, it is best to enjoy them in small quantities. They taste delightful as a dessert when paired with coffee. Since these sweets tend to be made regionally, some bakeries and artisan candy makers have begun shipping their products around the world in order to meet the demands of those who have moved away from home. You don't have to be in the Mississippi Delta or on the bank of the Seine to enjoy this classic treat, so take the time to look online for businesses that are shipping this great candy. For authentic New Orleans pralines, click here: href="http://www.neworleansfamouspraline.com">http://www.neworleansfamouspraline.com.
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