Pecan Pralines

This recipe is courtesy of The Top 100 Cajun Recipes of All Time and Mae St. Marie of Houma, La
Makes 30 pralines

2 2/3 cups Sugar
1 cup Evaporated milk
1/2 cup Butter
2 tbsp White Corn Syrup
2 cups Pecans halves
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1- In 2 quart heavy saucepan, mix sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and corn syrup
2- Cook until teaspoonful of the mixture forms a sofball when dropped in water
3- Remove from heat and add pecans and vanilla extract
4- Beat until very thick and heavy
5- Drop by the teaspoonful onto waxed paper placed on cloth (this make pralines easier to pick up)

Pumpkin Spice Cake

This recipe is courtesy of cooksrecipes.com.
Makes 12-15 servings

1 18.25 oz package of spice cake mix
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 4oz package of instant vanilla pudding mix
3 large eggs
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup pecans- chopped (OPTIONAL)


1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan (OR PAN OF YOUR CHOICE); set aside
2- Combine all ingredients, except pecans, and beat with electric mixer at medium speed for 5 minutes. Stir in pecans. Pour batter in prepared pan and bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until cake tests done with wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes before removing cake from pan. Loosen center and sides.
3- Serve with sweetened whipped cream. (OPTIONAL)