Question: What exactly is Praline?

Answer:

Praline is a form ofconfectioncontaining at a minimum culinarynutsandsugar;creamis a common third ingredient.

There are three main types:

Belgian pralines, which consist of a chocolate shell with a softer, sometimes liquid, filling, traditionally made of different combinations of hazelnut, almonds, sugar, syrup and often milk-based pastes. These high-fat, low-melting point chocolates are at the luxury end ofBelgian chocolateand represent an important product of many Belgian chocolatiers.

French pralines, a firm combination ofalmondsand caramelizedsugar.

American pralines, a softer, creamier combination of syrup andpecans,hazelnutsor almonds withmilkorcream, resemblingfudge. (pictured above)

A pralinecookieis a chocolate biscuit containing ground nuts. Praline is usually used as a filling in chocolates or other sweets.