National Pralines Day

Pralines, a confection made with pecans, sugar, cream or milk, and usually butter, are celebrated and enjoyed today on National Pralines Day! Sometimes referred to as pecan candy, they may have vanilla or maple added to enhance flavor. They are a staple of the American South and are particularly associated with New Orleans. In the French-settled areas of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, they are pronounced as "prah-lean," but are pronounced as "pray-lean" in other areas, like Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and New England. These types of pralines are referred to as American pralines. The original version of pralines, with almonds coated in caramelized sugar, is known as French pralines. There also are Belgian pralines, which have a chocolate outer shell with a milky hazelnut filling.

The original recipe for pralines is thought to have been created by Clement Lassagne, the personal chef of César de Choiseul, 1st Duke of Choiseul, comte du Plessis-Praslin, a French diplomat. Called "prawlins" in Europe and well known there by the early eighteenth century, they are believed to have been named for the Duke, too. It is believed pralines were introduced to North America through New Orleans—a city where they have remained an important confection since—by Ursuline nuns in the 1720s, and that the nuns taught casket girls how to make them, along with teaching them academics and other domestic work.

Free Black women sold pralines in New Orleans by the early-to-mid nineteenth century, and this practice accelerated following the Civil War, when emancipated Black women street vendors, known as pralinières, continued to sell them. The switch was made from almonds to pecans because they were abundant in New Orleans. Cream or milk was introduced to thicken the texture, and brown sugar started being used, along with Louisiana granulated sugar. Pralinières continued selling into the twentieth century and were often seen in the French Quarter, in Jackson Square around St. Louis Cathedral, and on Canal Street near Bourbon and Royal Streets. There aren't many street vendors selling pralines in New Orleans anymore, but pralines are still found in many shops around the French Quarter.

Candy companies have embraced National Pralines Day. River Sweet Sweets in Savannah celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2023 with the day and hosted a sweepstakes contest with a prize trip to Savannah. Stores in New Orleans like Aunt Sally's Creole Pralines and NolaFlavaPralines have offered samplings and sales on the day.

How to Observe National Pralines Day

Make some pralines to enjoy! You also could pick some up at a local candy shop. Make sure to check if they are celebrating with free samples or sales. If you can make it to New Orleans, where pralines have a long history, pick some up at a store like Aunt Sally's Creole Pralines, Leah's Pralines, or Loretta's Authentic Pralines.

Exclusive Content

Enjoying Checkiday? It takes a lot of support from fans like you to run a free website. For exclusive content and other perks, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Thank you!

Sponsor

This event does not currently have a sponsor. If you'd like to increase visibility for this event while gaining exposure for yourself or your brand, you can learn more here!

Something Wrong or Missing?

We would love to hear from you! Please contact us using this form.

Observation Notifications

Would you like to be notified before the next observation? Add this event directly to your calendar with this link. You may also sign up here to be told when other notifications are available!