National Pralines Day

 Sweet Southern Charm: Celebrate National Pralines Day with a Homemade Twist

June 24th is National Pralines Day, and here at Good Thyme Gal, we’re sugared-up and ready to celebrate this sweet Southern staple with heart, history, and a little homemade flair.

Pralines are a buttery, nutty, caramel-like candy, have been a beloved part of American dessert culture for centuries, especially in Louisiana and the Southern U.S. With their rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, it’s no surprise these treats have earned their own special day on the calendar.

But pralines aren’t just a dessert. They’re a symbol of community, hospitality, and the joy of shared sweets. And that makes them perfectly aligned with everything we stand for here at Good Thyme Gal.

🌿 Why National Pralines Day Matters

While it might seem like just another indulgent excuse (and we’re all for those), National Pralines Day actually gives us a sweet opportunity to:

• Honor culinary heritage – Pralines have deep roots in Creole and French cooking traditions.

• Celebrate homemade treats – In an era of mass-produced everything, homemade pralines remind us that slow, thoughtful sweets still have a place.

• Support seasonal and local ingredients – Pecans, often the star of pralines, are a Southern-grown gem worth highlighting.

• Practice approachable creativity in the kitchen – This simple recipe proves that candy-making can be fun, not fussy.

At Good Thyme Gal, we believe that food tells a story. And pralines? They’re a delicious chapter.

🍬 Affordable Homemade Pralines Recipe

Makes: About 12 pralinesPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 15 minutesCool time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup light brown sugar

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup whole milk (or evaporated milk)

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1 ½ cups chopped pecans

• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine both sugars, milk, and butter. Stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil.

3. Continue stirring until the mixture reaches soft-ball stage (about 235°F on a candy thermometer). If you don’t have a thermometer, it’s done when the mixture thickens and starts to pull from the sides of the pan.

4. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla, salt, and pecans.

5. Beat the mixture with a wooden spoon for about 1–2 minutes until it starts to lose some shine and thickens slightly.

6. Using a spoon, drop small mounds onto the prepared sheet. Let cool and harden for at least 30 minutes.

Optional Add-Ins:Try a sprinkle of cinnamon, a dash of cayenne for heat, or a drizzle of dark chocolate over the finished pralines for a gourmet twist!

💛 Why This Recipe Aligns with Good Thyme Gal

This recipe is:

• Simple and nostalgic – You only need a few pantry staples.

• Budget-friendly – No fancy candy tools required.

• Customizable – Add your own flair or use what you’ve got on hand.

• Rooted in tradition – We love celebrating time-honored recipes that still feel fresh and doable.

At Good Thyme Gal, we champion seasonal, joyful, low-stress cooking. These pralines offer all the comfort and creativity of a homemade dessert without the pressure of perfection.

🎉 Let’s Make Life a Little Sweeter

Whether you’re making pralines for the first time or reliving a beloved family recipe, National Pralines Day is the perfect excuse to slow down and treat yourself. It’s a little act of celebration, wrapped in sugar and love.

So grab your pecans, stir up something sweet, and toast to the joy of simple pleasures. And if you do make a batch, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @Chrstyleeb

We love seeing your kitchen magic.

Until then, stay sweet and season everything with a little good thyme. 💛