Triple Nut Sunflower Seed Praline Treats

Whether you’re looking for some on-the-go energy or the ultimate sweet tooth satisfaction, this recipe has you covered. We tripled up on the nuts and added sunflower seeds for a craveable crunch, and it’s all held together with the creamiest confection you’ve ever tried. Pack them for a hike or lay them out on a platter for any occasion.

Prep Time
15 minutes
15 minutes cooling time
Cook Time
5 to 10 minutes
Servings
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) buttermilk ¼ cup (60 ml) buttermilk
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • 1¼ cups (271 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, packed 1¼ cups (271 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, packed
  • ¾ cup (150 g) Redpath® Granulated Sugar ¾ cup (150 g) Redpath® Granulated Sugar
  • ¾ tsp (4 g) salt ¾ tsp (4 g) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1 g) cream of tartar ¼ tsp (1 g) cream of tartar
  • ⅓ cup (75 g) butter, cubed ⅓ cup (75 g) butter, cubed
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp (1 g) cayenne pepper ¼ tsp (1 g) cayenne pepper
  • ¼ cup (36 g) hazelnuts, lightly toasted ¼ cup (36 g) hazelnuts, lightly toasted
  • ¼ cup (34 g) shelled sunflower seeds, lightly toasted ¼ cup (34 g) shelled sunflower seeds, lightly toasted
  • ¼ cup (32 g) slivered almonds, lightly toasted ¼ cup (32 g) slivered almonds, lightly toasted
  • ¼ cup (26 g) pecan halves, lightly toasted ¼ cup (26 g) pecan halves, lightly toasted

Instructions

Step 1

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly grease with butter. Set aside.

Step 2

In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine buttermilk and heavy cream. Place over medium-low heat and stir in the Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, Redpath® Granulated Sugar, salt, and cream of tartar. Stir to dissolve sugars.

Step 3

Once dissolved, clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot. For an accurate reading, ensure the probe does not make contact with the bottom of the pot. Increase heat to medium and bring mixture to a boil. Once the mixture begins to boil, do not stir. Stirring the sugar mixture after it starts to boil will lead to crystallization and a pronounced granular texture in the final product. If worried about burning, lower temperature slightly.

Bring the temperature of the sugar mixture to 240°F (116°C). Turn off and remove pot from heat.

Step 4

Bring the temperature of the sugar mixture to 240°F (116°C). Turn off and remove pot from heat.

Step 5

Scatter the cubed butter over the surface of the sugar mixture. Sprinkle in the pure vanilla extract, and cayenne pepper. Scatter the toasted hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, and pecans over the butter. Let sit 5 minutes to allow the mixture to cool slightly; do not stir.
Pot full of melted sugar, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, and sunflower seeds with a silicone spoon

Step 6

Carefully stir the ingredients together until mixture becomes creamy and slightly thickened. Immediately drop tablespoons of the praline mixture onto the parchment lined baking sheet, spaced about an inch apart. Let cool completely before peeling pralines off from parchment; about 15 minutes.

Pot full of creamy melted sugar, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, and sunflower seeds with a silicone spoon

Step 7

Store pralines in a cool, dry location in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper.

Mixed nut pralines on a light blue plate

Chef's Tip

*If buttermilk is unavailable, a good substitute is to stir 1 tablespoon (15 millilitres) of white vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup (250 millilitres) of milk. Allow to sit and thicken; 5 to 10 minutes. Proceed with the recipe, as usual, using the necessary amount of buttermilk required. Alternatively, replace buttermilk with heavy cream, though the slight tang from the buttermilk will be lost.

*If making for young children or those sensitive to spicy foods, omit cayenne or substitute with ground cinnamon. Alternatively, increase cayenne pepper to ½ teaspoon if a spicier praline is desired.

*If praline mixture spreads too much when it hits the parchment, stir to cool the mixture a bit more before trying again.

*Pralines will become harder to work with as the mixture cools; work quickly.