Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline: 20 Min Dessert

Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline has been my go-to for effortless holiday cheer, and I’m so excited to share this simple recipe with you! I remember the first time I tried making these, the sweet, nutty aroma filled my kitchen, promising a delicious treat. This Cranberry Pecan Praline Recipe is incredibly forgiving, making it the perfect option even if you’re new to baking. You’ll love how quickly this easy Cranberry Pecan Praline comes together, turning simple ingredients into a festive delight. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Bake Cranberry Pecan Praline

This Cranberry Pecan Praline Bake is a winner for so many reasons. Get ready to fall in love with these delightful little treats:

• Incredible taste with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors.
• Amazingly quick prep time – ready in under 20 minutes!
• It’s a naturally gluten-free dessert option, making it accessible for more people.
• Budget-friendly ingredients mean you can whip up a batch without breaking the bank.
• This Homemade Cranberry Pecan Praline is a huge hit with kids and adults alike.
• The chewiness combined with the crunch of pecans is simply irresistible.
• It’s a fantastic way to enjoy baking with cranberries and pecans.
• You get that satisfying homemade cranberry pecan praline taste without the fuss of baking!

Ingredients for Cranberry Pecan Praline Bake

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to this delightful Cranberry Pecan Praline Bake. You’ll be amazed at how few items you need for such a flavorful confection, showcasing the magic of baking with cranberries and pecans.

• 1 cup Sugar – the base for our sweet praline coating
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter – adds richness and helps bind everything
• 1/4 cup Heavy Cream (or whole or coconut milk) – creates that signature chewy texture
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract – for a warm, comforting flavor
• 1 cup Pecans (chopped) – provides a wonderful nutty crunch
• 1 cup Dried Cranberries – brings a burst of tangy sweetness
• 2 cups Rolled Oats (certified gluten-free for gluten-free option) – the hearty base of our cookies
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt – balances the sweetness and enhances flavors

How to Make Cranberry Pecan Praline

Let’s get started on making these irresistible Cranberry Pecan Praline cookies! It’s a straightforward process that yields fantastic results, perfect for anyone wanting to learn how to bake cranberry pecan praline.

1. Step 1: Before you begin, make sure to chop your pecans and measure out your dried cranberries and rolled oats. Having everything prepped makes this recipe a breeze. Grab a medium saucepan and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is the first step in our Cranberry Pecan Praline Baking Instructions.
2. Step 2: In your medium saucepan, combine the 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Place it over medium heat and stir frequently. You’re looking for it to reach a gentle boil. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly and takes on a light caramel color. The smell alone will tell you it’s working!
3. Step 3: Once it reaches that perfect light caramel stage, carefully remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and the 1/2 teaspoon salt. This little bit of salt really helps balance the sweetness.
4. Step 4: Now comes the fun part! Fold in the 1 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup dried cranberries, and 2 cups rolled oats. Stir everything together until all the dry ingredients are beautifully coated in the warm, gooey praline mixture.
5. Step 5: Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, drop rounded spoonfuls of the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. Space them about an inch apart, as they won’t spread too much but you want them to have their own space to set.
6. Step 6: Let the cookies cool at room temperature for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch. If you’re short on time or just eager to try them, pop the baking sheet into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to speed up the setting process. This is key to mastering how to make Cranberry Pecan Praline properly!

Pro Tips for the Best Pecan Cranberry Praline Bake

Want to elevate your Cranberry Pecan Praline Confections from good to absolutely divine? Here are a few tricks I’ve picked up:

• Ensure your sugar mixture reaches a light caramel color before removing from heat; this is crucial for proper setting.
• Have all your dry ingredients measured and ready to go before you start cooking the sugar mixture. This no-bake recipe moves fast!
• Don’t overmix the ingredients once you add the oats, cranberries, and pecans, as this can make the cookies tough.
• For perfectly uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the mixture onto the baking sheet.

What’s the secret to perfect Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies?

The key to that chewy texture and perfect set in these Cranberry Pecan Praline Cookies is in the sugar mixture. Cooking it to a light caramel stage and then quickly incorporating the add-ins ensures they hold their shape beautifully. For more baking tips, check out this guide on the beauty of food.

Can I make Cranberry Pecan Praline Dessert ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the mixture and drop the cookies onto the baking sheet up to a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature once they are fully set.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Cranberry Pecan Praline?

A common pitfall is not cooking the sugar mixture long enough, leading to soft cookies. Also, make sure to work quickly once the dry ingredients are added to prevent them from getting too stiff before you can scoop them. Understanding sustainable farming practices can also give you insight into ingredient quality.

Best Ways to Serve Cranberry Pecan Praline

These Cranberry Pecan Praline cookies are so versatile! They make a wonderful addition to any holiday cookie platter, adding a festive touch and brilliant color. I love serving them alongside a warm mug of apple cider or hot chocolate – the flavors just complement each other perfectly. For a more substantial treat, consider them as a delightful component of a holiday dessert spread. They pair beautifully with a creamy cheesecake or a rich chocolate cake, offering a lovely textural contrast as part of a larger Cranberry Pecan Praline Dessert. If you enjoy baking, you might also like our apple pie recipe.

Nutrition Facts for Cranberry Pecan Praline

Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional information for one of these delicious Cranberry Pecan Praline cookies:

• Calories: 150 kcal
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used in your Cranberry Pecan Praline. For more information on nutritional components, you can explore the many benefits of onions.

How to Store and Reheat Cranberry Pecan Praline

Properly storing your Cranberry Pecan Praline Confections is key to keeping them delicious. After they’ve completely cooled on the baking sheet, transfer them to an airtight container. For the best homemade cranberry pecan praline storage, keep them at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you need them to last longer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They also freeze beautifully for up to 2 months! Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and then foil.

When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a few minutes if they were refrigerated or frozen. While these no-bake treats are best enjoyed at room temperature, a brief 10-15 second warm-up in the microwave can sometimes enhance their chewy texture, especially if they’ve been chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Pecan Praline

What is Cranberry Pecan Praline?

Cranberry Pecan Praline refers to a confection that typically combines the sweetness of praline (a caramel-like candy often made with nuts) with the tartness of cranberries and the rich crunch of pecans. My recipe creates a delightful no-bake cookie version, perfect for festive snacking and showcasing the wonderful combination of these classic flavors.

How to Make Cranberry Pecan Praline?

To make this particular Cranberry Pecan Praline, you’ll start by cooking sugar, butter, and cream to a light caramel stage. Then, you’ll quickly stir in chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and rolled oats. Finally, drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper to set. It’s a really straightforward process! For a similar simple recipe, try our easy cinnamon rolls.

Can I substitute the nuts in this recipe?

Absolutely! While pecans are traditional and pair wonderfully, you can easily swap them out. Walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of your favorite nuts would be delicious in this Pecan Cranberry Praline Bake. Just make sure they are chopped to a similar size for even distribution.

My praline cookies aren’t setting, what went wrong?

This usually happens if the sugar mixture wasn’t cooked quite long enough to reach the correct stage. You need that light caramel color and slight thickening. Don’t be afraid to let it bubble for the full 2-3 minutes. Also, make sure to work quickly once the dry ingredients are added to prevent them from getting too stiff before you can scoop them. If you’re interested in other desserts, consider our pistachio pavlova meringue cakes.

Variations of Cranberry Pecan Praline You Can Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, there are so many fun ways to play with this Cranberry Pecan Praline! For a truly festive cranberry pecan praline, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sugar mixture before cooking – it brings out a wonderful warmth. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, simply swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk, and ensure your butter is a dairy-free alternative. You can also experiment with different nuts like walnuts or almonds for a slightly different flavor profile. For a richer, more decadent holiday cranberry pecan praline, try drizzling a little melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies!

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