What is a Praline?

The Praline in America

In the days of sailing vessels, when news and fashion took months to travel from Paris to New Orleans, a southern gentleman made business trips to Paris and returned with some of these delicious pralines, which he presented to the head cook of his plantation. By virtue of her excellent cooking, she prepared a confection that has lived through the ages. 

Instead of almonds, she used a Louisiana nut called a pecan (pronounce "peakon") and sugar made from Louisiana sugar cane. Instead of one nut she used a handful of pecans for good measure. In his historical writings of early Louisiana, eighteenth century historian Le Page du Pratz praised the pecan and its use in "the praline…one of the delicacies of New Orleans." 

During the mid-1800's, Entrepreneurial black women in New Orleans, who had very few opportunities to make extra money for their families, realized the popularity of the praline and found considerable success selling them on the streets, thus making the Praline synonymous with New Orleans and a delicious candy loved by everyone.

Prah-leen or Pray-leen? 

Which is the correct pronunciation of these delicate crispy, crunchy, creamy treats? While the recipes vary from creamy to chewy and everything in between, Pralines are now known throughout the South from Georgia to Texas. We at Aunt Sally's understand that your momma had a pretty good recipe, however ours are made the traditional Creole way and are available anytime you feel the urge to satisfy your sweet-tooth with a taste of the old South. As to the correct pronunciation, in New Orleans we never ever say "pray-leen," but you can say whatever your like as long as you say "Aunt Sally's" first!