A fun twist on the traditional Louisiana treat, these pistachio pralines can be eaten as is or as an ice cream topping!
pistachio pralines

These are damage control pralines.

Because obviously a stressed out whacked out individual should be boiling sugar to 236 degrees. Fahrenheit.

Not as serious as 236 degrees Celsius, but still pretty serious.

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But after a full 24 hours of flexing my hacker-fighting muscles (or hiring Sucuri to do it for me as I cowered in a corner), and a full eight hours of screaming at speaking calmly and firmly to my hosting company about switching my site to a server that’s a tad more reliable, I was hankering to break out the butter and sugar and shove them in my face.

So I did just that.

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And that is how these truly unfortunate-looking (but utterly delicious!) bites of caramelized sugar and roasted pistachios were born.

I am of the opinion that they will look absolutely perfect on a holiday cookie tray, but I also really hope they will go with the decor in Kelly’s (of Kelly Bakes) new place in CT since I sent her a package full of them for this month’s Leftovers Club! I met Kelly for the first time at a blog conference this summer and there was a real and serious danger that I was going to pack her up in my luggage and take her home with me, she is just that adorable. I resisted, but barely. Hope you like them, Kelly!

Want to see what the other Leftovers Club folks are making?  Check out their tasty treats below! Want to join us in in the fun? Click here to find out more about The Leftovers Club!

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One year ago...Asian Sesame Tofu with Braised Winter Squash and Green Beans

Two years ago...Fall Bruschetta, Cheddar Scallion Scones

Three years ago...Orzo, Arugula and Butternut Squash Salad in a Maple Coffee Vinaigrette

Four years ago...Pizza with Arugula, Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic

Pistachio Pralines {#theleftoversclub}
 
A fun twist on the traditional Louisiana treat, these pistachio pralines can be eaten as is or as an ice cream topping!
Yield: 18 cookies
Ingredients
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ tsp cardamom
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1¼ cups shelled and roasted pistachios
Instructions
  1. Combine the brown sugar, sugar, heavy cream, and cardamom in a medium heavy saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer to it. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 228F. Then, stir in the butter and pistachios, and bring the temperature up to 236, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and let rest for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat the batter with a wooden spoon until it is well-mixed. Drop the pralines by the tablespoon onto the prepared sheet. Let cool.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 cookie

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78 Responses to Pistachio Pralines {#theleftoversclub}

  1. Oh yummmm! I’m a sucker for pistachios, but then you put them together with sugar, butter, and cream? And cardamom? Oh dear. 🙂

  2. Blond Duck says:

    I’m a fool for pralines! Yum!

  3. Simply Life says:

    oh these really are the perfect dessert for the holiday season!

  4. I have seriously had like 76457667 failed login attempts in the last week. Over 800 in one day. What do the hackers want from us?! GAH. So sorry you have been dealing with hacky losers. Totally a perfect excuse for butter and sugar. Pistachio pralines are awesome!!

  5. These on ice cream = YES! Also, we need to plan a kelly-lauren-joanne nyc party:-)

  6. gloria says:

    I love these pistachios pralinés!!! Have a nice weekend dear Joanne!!:)

  7. SallyBR says:

    Pistachio chocolate and cardamon… WOW. You’ve done it! Great job, I would have one right now with my morning capuccino…. long, long day ahead at UCLA…

  8. I love the idea of the cardamom in them! yum!

  9. I’m definitely going to make these for my holiday party this year and I’m definitely going to check out The Leftovers Club!

  10. I hate boiling sugar- it always takes forever for the temperature to change and i’m so scared i’ll burn myself! But…i may have to give it another chance for the sake of these tasty treats 🙂

  11. Agh, hope your blog issues are taken care of asap!!

    Be still my heart! I love love love all things pistachio!!

  12. These look AMAZING! I am obsessed with pistachios! YUM!

  13. THESE ARE SERIOUSLY WHY WE ARE FRIENDS.

    1. How did you know I love pralines?
    2. How did you know I love pistachios?
    3. How did you know I can’t make these myself because I am a crazy stressed out person who should never be near boiling sugar?
    4. STOP READING MY MIND (but really, don’t)

    Also, I’m super super glad you were able to get your blog issues fixed. I switched hosts earlier this summer and it was a pain enough without hacking, so I give you major props for dealing with that AND hackers. ughhh. Hopefully appley rice krispie delights make it all better <3

  14. this will be perfect for upcoming holidays 🙂

  15. You may have just fixed a long running problem between my boyfriend and me. I love pralines, but he hates pecans, so I never ever get to make or buy them. Pistachios? Perfect. Relationship salvaged,

  16. Johanna says:

    Oh my gosh I need to make these! Every time we visit Savannah I go to three different shops to “sample” their pralines (all of which I’ve had dozens of times) hot off the ‘press’ before finally purchasing a box. And I LOVE pistachios so these look even better!

  17. Love this idea! I don’t think I use pistachios nearly enough.

  18. I love pistachios – what a great treat!

  19. Ya know, I’d actually never had pralines before last weekend? I don’t know how it escaped me!

  20. Pam says:

    I am so glad things are working better for you. I have a feeling these little tasty treats made you feel better! I think they look delicious!

  21. I think they look rather cute, especially the way you have presented them Joanne. Glad that your hacking problem got solved after all… I would pull out my hair!

  22. Crazy jealous of Kelly and her pralines package right now. How is it you keep getting paired up with Leftovers Club bloggers in the middle of a move? 🙂 Pralines are such a perfect TLC treat!
    So glad you seem to have gotten site issues fixed- what an unbelievable pain in the butt that can be, ugh. I feel your pain!

  23. Oh, these are perfect little pick me ups after dinner.
    I love pralines, never used pistachios though…I would like some now.(.sighs)..:)

  24. cquek says:

    Yum this looks so delectable and is making me crave

  25. Kate says:

    I bet the pistachios add a salty bite to this sweet treat.

  26. Amy says:

    When my site was down for 3 days (!) a few months ago, I gained 10 pounds.

  27. Lynn says:

    OM! I want these right now.

  28. Kelster says:

    These look amazing! I thought there was chocolate in there for a while.

  29. You made these because you know I love pistachios right? They would look great in my bakery too btw…the bakery that I call my kitchen! Feel free to send some my way!

  30. Beth says:

    Those really look wonderful. Hopefully you’ve got that hacker problem completely solved!

  31. I could have used a few of these last night as my ceiling was falling down and the rain was coming in! Love pistachios!

  32. Hotly Spiced says:

    I hope your issues are resolved. Blogging is a lot of work without those kinds of issues. I love pistachios so I know I’d loved these. Kelly is very lucky! xx

  33. Pistachios are my favorite nut. Love this! Happy weekend!

  34. I’m so sorry to hear about your problems with the server and stuff… I hope everything’s fine again soon!
    This pralines look lovely though… aw, I’d eat a tray full of them right now 😉

  35. Well I’m ready for some.
    This weekend is the first weekend of no sun, so I’m closing myself in the kitchen and getting my baking ON.
    I am so behind on my work!

  36. Stress eating at its finest – skip the cookies, just eat the butter and sugar! And you couldn’t have had a better idea than enveloping pistachios in the two. Simple is always best!

  37. I don’t know that I’m qualified for heating to that temperature even if I’m fully calm and composed, but if these come at the end…I might just manage it.

  38. Love love pistachio! These pralines look marvelous, Joanne.

  39. Betty says:

    You can’t go wrong with butter, sugar and cream. Those have to be good. 🙂

  40. The looks of these treats make my immature soul smile- but who cares what they look like when they sound so good? Yum!

  41. Veronica says:

    Yikes, hope you got the your website’s problems under control! These sound like the perfect remedy for frazzled nerves. Yay butter and sugar! 🙂

  42. These little treats sound yummy. I love that there’s cardamom in them — one of my favorite spices and it goes so great with pistachios!

  43. daphne says:

    Everyone deserves a treat and you certainly do! This looks awesome and I LOVE pistachios!

  44. Erica says:

    Mmm! Those look so good, Joanne!What a great treat!

  45. P says:

    These would taste sooo great in a large bowl of French vanilla ice cream :D!

  46. sandra says:

    I am sure these taste divine. How can you go wrong with pistachios and sugar/butter? I hope your time with very hot sugar was less eventful than my own.

  47. I made pecan pralines last year and wasn’t quite happy with how they turned out. I cannot wait to try this recipe as they look much more solid than my crumbly ones. And pistachios are always a good addition!

  48. Oh goodness, I would just eat these all day long if they were close to me! Major yum Joanne!

  49. Tara says:

    Funny thing, I actually had these before! My co-worker made the same recipe at a holiday party last year (or was it this year?) They were so good and now I want them again. 🙂

  50. OMG Amazing, amazing treats! I have such a chocolate craving, and I have no chocolate at home, what am I gonna do!?

  51. sippitysup says:

    Burnt sugar is madly sophisticated… GREG

  52. Good luck on your blog issues! Meanwhile, these look fantastic!

  53. Monica says:

    There’s something about just the word “praline” that grabs my attention. This is an irresistible treat!

  54. Candace says:

    This Louisiana girl approves! Love the cardamom and pistachio twist. Yum!

  55. Holly crap, these are some serious sweet little thingies. I am sure worth every bite. Nothing better than tons of nuts and sugar mix together! I indulge in things like this once in a while, and enjoy them with pleasure I must add. I am sure everyone that dig into them loved them 🙂 What is not to love?

  56. Daniela says:

    Chocolate, Pistacchios and Cardamon, that sounds so yummy!
    Love these easy to prepare and so tempting looking cookies.

  57. Chewthefat says:

    Oh no, I hate computer problems. You know, I had never heard of these before..again showing my regional ignorance…

  58. Ashley says:

    These sound awesome! They would be perfect on a holiday cookie tray!

  59. <3 mildly salty & golden-green pistachios – I never knew these precious pralines were a traditional Louisiana treat and I have never been to Louisiana!

  60. Esi says:

    Love this twist on a classic. Would be an excellent gift idea!

  61. Hannah says:

    Considering my dad’s love of pistachios and all things that are largely made of sugar, these would be such a perfect treat for him! Next time he’s home, I know what I’m making…

  62. Monet says:

    Hi sweet Joanne! I will certainly be saving these for my Christmas Cookie tray (although I doubt I’ll be able to wait that long!) After a long weekend of travel, it was nice to end my Sunday here. I hope you have a wonderful start to your week!

  63. I’ve never made pralines, let alone pistachio pralines, but from the list of ingredients, what’s not to love! I would be scared of the sugar part too but looks like you handled it like a pro. Hope your blog issues are sorted out now!

  64. Ooh, I love the hint of cardamom in them! These sound wonderful, very glad you specified between celcius and fahrenheit!

  65. How did I miss this ? I love anything with pistachios and chocolate .. CAn we join the leftovers club too? We ‘d love to know. xxoo

  66. Megan says:

    Ice cream topping… I like the way you think!

  67. Amy Tong says:

    I fall in love with praline when I visit New Orleans! Your pistachio pralines sound wonderful and a must try.

  68. LOVE the idea of these with pistachios, which I much prefer to pecans. Yum! Lucky Kelly!

  69. My attempt at making pistachio brittle was a failure. So glad your praline worked 🙂

  70. Donna says:

    I am so sorry you posted this recipe. I would like to eat about a million of these.

  71. Reeni says:

    They look perfectly delectable to me and I am in love with the idea of eating these with ice cream! Two treats in one. Hope you were able to get your blog issues ironed out!

  72. grace says:

    pecan pralines are good, but they’ve got nothing on these. dynamite, joanne!

  73. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Oh goodness, putting these on ice cream sounds like a dream!!!

  74. I love this candy. Pistachio anything will get my attention.

  75. Bea Long "The Bayou Lady" says:

    I just finished shelling a gazillion pistachios!! I am for sure going to have these this week!! I always used pecans. Cannot wait, I must have missed this on Bobby Flay’s.

  76. Johanna GGG says:

    definitely looks like my sort of medicine – hope the spam woes are behind you – am sure you had other things to do than chase these mean people

  77. I firmly believe these pralines can create miracles.

  78. Shannon says:

    the cardamom in these– fabulous!

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