My pralines are grainy/gritty

NewStepMom2ndBride

Hi ladies - any advice would be welcomed!

It seems like the sugar isn't melted and they taste very gritty.

My common sense says that I didn't cook it long enough BUT they did get up to the temperature given in the recipe. Maybe I didn't stir long enough?

They were ALL gritty so its not that I didn't scoop them fast enough ALTHOUGH the last ones were grittier. But the first ones were too gritty in the first place.

 

TIA!!! :-) 

TheBridesMom

I've had that problem.  I remember reading that if you stir the mixture before it cools a bit (I think to lukewarm), the stirring will cause crystallization/grittiness.

Erlyjo

Once the mixture reaches the proper temperature, you have to stir it with a spoon until it starts to cool.  My mom kind of whips it with a spoon after the candy mixture reaches the consistency where it makes a soft ball when put in a cup of water.  It makes the candy really creamy.