Glorias, Or, Caramel Pecan Candies
By Melissa Pitts
Who can resist these classic dulces tipicos? I never had Glorias until I visited Monterrey, Mexico but fell in love with them immediately. Sweetened condensed milk plus pecans are a match-made in heaven. Glorias are easy to make, although you need a little patience as the milk cooks- but it is worth it! Here are two versions of how to make them: one is a short cut where you use sweetened condensed milk from a can, the other has you make everything from scratch. The most authentic way to make these candies are with goat’s milk- as the north is well known for their culinary uses of the cabrito and wrap them in red cellophane just like the Glorias of Las Sevillanas!
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (*see alternate recipe making homemade caramel)
- 10 whole pecans
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
- In a nonstick saucepan, on medium low heat, add the milk. Cook the milk until it changes to a light caramel color- about 25-30 minutes. If you have a candy thermometer it should reach a temperature of about 240F–if not, just keep stirring until you can see the bottom of the pan.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool about 10-12 minutes- until you can handle it with your hands.
- While the mixture is cooling, in a dry skillet toast the pecans over medium heat, about 3 minutes.
- Roll the caramel mixture into balls, then into tubes (if you want). Top with a piece of pecan, wrap in parchment paper and/or red cellophane for the real authentic Glorias look.
To make the caramel sauce from scratch:
- 4 cups whole milk or goat’s milk for the most authentic taste
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- In a medium saucepan, add everything but the baking soda. Once the mixture just starts to bubble add the baking soda. Continue cooking until the mixture turns to a light caramel color and you can see the bottom of the pan (or with a thermometer, until it reaches 240F.)
- Follow directions steps 2, 3 and 4.
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