Diane’s Pecan Balls: “They’re Like Crack!”
My husband Daniel’s Aunt Diane is famous for her annual making of the Pecan Balls. The centers are a creamy, sugary concoction that my sister-in-law Lydia today proclaimed is as good as crack cocaine. Next the balls are dipped in hot, melted caramel and rolled in chopped pecans. Diane makes them every year, without fail, for her annual holiday party. She also serves hot cider, a special spicy soup, and homemade cornbread. But let’s get real… it’s really all about the Pecan Balls!
This year, Diane has decided that it’s time to pass the Pecan Ball tradition down to the next generation of women in the family. Basically she said, “If you want Pecan Balls, you girls are going to have to start making them yourself.” The Pecan Ball process takes some manual dexterity and strength that Diane no longer has because of her worsening arthritis. So yesterday Lydia and I spent the afternoon with Diane learning the tricks of the trade and making our first batch of Pecan Balls.
Lydia had a little powdered sugar mishap as you can see…
and she wasn’t very happy about it!
Anyway, Diane figures she’s been making these luscious little delights for 15-20 years. I’m excited to share this treasured family recipe with you all. Here’s the recipe and a couple more photos:
Diane’s Pecan Balls
2 1/2 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 t vanilla
28 Kraft Caramels
2 T water
1 cup chopped pecans
- Mix the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Chill for about an hour.
- Roll the mix into 1/2-inch balls and lay them out on a cookie sheet to chill overnight.
- Melt the caramel and water in a double boiler over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Dip sugar balls into the hot caramel and roll in the nuts.
- Wrap in wax paper and freeze for at least 15 minutes. You can also freeze them for longer. They freeze very well. Chill unti serving.
- As for number of servings, we made this recipe X5 and we got about 60 pecan balls out of that amount. It also would depend on how big you roll them to be. I would recommend at least doubling this recipe because they’re sure to be a hit and as long as you’re already going through all the work…
Here are a couple more action shots to get you inspired…
I thought you were sick yesterday!
Comment by LisaSD — December 14, 2005 @ 10:20 am
Ok, somehow I am tempted to try anything which is described to be “like crack!” They sound yummy. But how can you go wrong with sugar, cream cheese and nuts?!
Comment by Dawn — December 14, 2005 @ 11:09 am
Wow… those sound oinky! Perfect! LOL
BTW: I don’t know if you have had this already but I tag you for the “You are what you eat” ten favourite foods theme. See my blog post for more details.
Comment by Nerissa — December 14, 2005 @ 11:15 am
Sounds like you are having way too much fun.
Comment by Jane — December 15, 2005 @ 6:21 am
Yum! These look so easy - not to mention delicious!
Comment by Nic — December 15, 2005 @ 5:45 pm
I haven’t visited here in awhile, but congratulations on the blog/web bids! How cool is that?? I knew you’d be great at it!
Those pecan balls look good. I have to bake cookies this weekend for a gift exchange. Are they easy?
Comment by hellogirl — December 15, 2005 @ 10:37 pm
C’mon - nothings better than crack! (Just kidding.)
Comment by Rorie — December 22, 2005 @ 10:12 pm
[…] Aunt Diane’s Famous Pecan Balls […]
Pingback by Zen Foodism - A Food Blog Emanating from San Diego » Zen Foodism Recipe Index 2005 — February 7, 2006 @ 1:38 pm
I’m writing an article on foods that have actually helped people suffering arthritis.
I like your blog and wonder if you could tell me if you’ve had personal experience I could cite with any of these foods.
Please leave comment on my blog.
thnks dave
http://backbebetter.blogspot.com
Comment by txdave22 — August 15, 2006 @ 12:48 pm
Please crack cocaine-not funny-not yummy. shame on you. I will just skip the receipe . that is what I believe you should have edited.
Comment by Paulette I — October 6, 2006 @ 10:47 am
These are simply a smaller version of the pecan log sold in stores throughout the south. They are delicious! I’m sure the homemade ones are even better!!
Comment by Vonnie — October 6, 2006 @ 1:06 pm
Ya’ll should have a “print recipe” only capability!
Comment by William B. Thompson — October 6, 2006 @ 3:16 pm
Pecan Balls is my favorite dish. I’d it on regular basis while I was on trip to Hawaii.
Comment by John — October 19, 2006 @ 11:04 pm
I also went to hawaii and had the pecan balls. Among other places. One of my favorite dishes.
Comment by san diego mobile notary — November 9, 2006 @ 11:58 am
mortgage home loans mortgage bad loans
Comment by loans mortgage rate — December 12, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Chronic ephedra abuse.
Connecticut ephedra lawyers. Hunt on for ephedra substitutes cbs news. Ephedra. Buy ephedra online.
Trackback by Ephedra. — December 12, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
Ephedrine.
Ephedrine weightloss drops. Extract ephedrine. Ephedrine erections. Ephedrine faq. Ephedrine products for asthma.
Trackback by Ephedrine from sugar recipe. — December 13, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
health care loans care loans health
Comment by loans one health — December 15, 2008 @ 2:13 am
yahoo yahoo
Comment by yahoo — December 17, 2008 @ 6:51 am
Odds Odds
Comment by Odds — December 17, 2008 @ 11:24 am
Tramadol cheap no rx free overnight shipping.
Low price tramadol. Tramadol cod. Tramadol. Ultram tramadol. What is tramadol.
Trackback by Cheapest tramadol available online. — December 18, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
Aren Breakups Aren Breakups
Comment by Breakups Aren — December 20, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
car amplifier to audio subs amplifier car audio
Comment by car amplifier audio subs — December 31, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
buy no phentermine online buy generic phentermine online
Comment by phentermine online place buy — January 1, 2009 @ 7:07 am
Ephedra.
Weight loss pills with ephedra. Where to find ephedra. Ephedra.
Trackback by Hartford ephedra attorneys. — January 29, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
infobox tutorial infobox create
Comment by com infobox — February 5, 2009 @ 2:27 pm