Description
No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies packed with sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a delightful praline flavor. Quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200g) pecan halves, lightly toasted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120g) dried cranberries
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Parchment paper for setting
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Before beginning, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Measure all ingredients and have them ready beside your stove. This preparation is crucial for No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies since the praline mixture sets quickly once it reaches the right temperature and you’ll need to work efficiently.
- Step 2: Toast the Pecans If your pecans aren’t already toasted, spread them on a baking sheet and toast at 325°F for 7-8 minutes until fragrant. Allow them to cool completely, then roughly chop about half of them, leaving the rest as halves for texture variation.
- Step 3: Create the Praline Base In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, heavy cream, butter, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves completely. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 235-240°F on a candy thermometer (or until a small amount dropped into cold water forms a soft ball). This usually takes about 5-7 minutes of gentle boiling.
- Step 4: Add Flavorings Once your praline base reaches the proper temperature, remove it from heat immediately. Stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon (if using), being careful as the mixture may bubble up slightly. The aroma that rises from your pot will be absolutely mouthwatering!
- Step 5: Incorporate Nuts and Cranberries Working quickly, fold in the toasted pecans and dried cranberries, ensuring they’re evenly coated in the sweet praline mixture. The contrast of the golden caramel, rich brown nuts, and bright red cranberries creates the signature look of these No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies.
- Step 6: Form the Cookies Using two spoons, drop tablespoon-sized portions onto your prepared parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If you prefer uniform cookies, you can slightly flatten and shape them with the back of a spoon while still warm. Work rapidly as the mixture will begin to harden as it cools.
- Step 7: Set and Cool Allow your cookies to cool completely at room temperature, which takes about 30 minutes. Don’t refrigerate them to speed up the process, as this can affect their texture. Once set, your No-Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies will have a satisfying snap when broken apart.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg