Praline refers to two related but distinct confections. In the French tradition, praline (praliné) is a paste made from caramelized sugar and ground nuts — typically almonds or hazelnuts — that is processed until smooth. This nut praline paste is widely used as a filling in chocolates, pastries, and confections, and forms the basis of products like Nutella and gianduja. In the American tradition, particularly in New Orleans, pralines are candy patties made from sugar, cream, butter, and pecans.
In the context of Dubai chocolate and chocolate making, praline most commonly refers to the French-style nut paste. Pistachio praline — made by caramelizing sugar with pistachios and grinding the result into a paste — is sometimes used as an alternative or supplement to pure pistachio cream in Dubai chocolate recipes. The caramelization adds a deeper, more complex flavor compared to simple pistachio cream, and some chocolatiers use a blend of praline and pure pistachio paste for a more nuanced filling.