Founded in 1987 by Eleanor Harren in Sinton, Texas, Aunt Aggie De’s Pralines began as a catering business using a guarded family recipe. At age 55, Harren built the company on all-natural ingredients and scratch-made methods.
Now producing over 2 million pralines annually, the business has thrived under new owners Molly and Melanie, who maintain Harren’s vision. You’ll also find Agnes, Texas’ largest squirrel mascot, welcoming you to discover their sweet Texas legacy.
From Kitchen to Storefront: How Aunt Aggie De’s Began in 1987
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A sweet legacy began in 1987 when Eleanor Harren launched Aunt Aggie De’s Pralines in Sinton, Texas. On her 55th birthday, she started a catering business using her Aunt Aggie’s original praline recipe that she’d promised to preserve.
Eleanor Harren remained focused on quality, insisting on natural ingredients for the signature pralines. Today, Aunt Aggie De’s sells over 2 million pralines annually from a two-building operation. The main storefront at 311 W. Sinton St. features Agnes, Texas’ largest squirrel mascot.
Though new owners Molly and Melanie now run the business, they still uphold Eleanor’s legacy. Aunt Aggie De’s Pralines invite you to taste a homemade Texas tradition that began in a modest kitchen.
Travelers exploring South Texas can find similar gourmet delights at the Cibolo Farmers Market, which offers treats alongside fresh produce and handmade crafts.
Eleanor Harren’s Sweet Legacy at 55
When most people approach retirement, Eleanor Harren was just beginning a new chapter. At 55, she chose to share her beloved Aunt Aggie’s treasured praline recipe with the world. The company began as a catering business in 1987 and soon expanded into a retail shop as customers embraced her confections.
Three reasons Aunt Aggie De’s pralines are guaranteed to delight:
- They’re still made with the original secret recipe
- Every ingredient is all-natural, as Eleanor insisted
- New owners Molly and Melanie uphold her quality standards
Though Eleanor sold the business, she continues to visit weekly, mentoring the current owners who joyfully offer these cherished treats while honoring her sweet legacy.
Like Joe T. Garcia’s, Eleanor championed scratch-cooked methods that upheld Texas culinary traditions.
The Secret Behind Our Award-Winning Texas Pralines
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Remarkable craftsmanship sets Aunt Aggie De’s pralines apart from any other Texas confection. Our award-winning treats reflect generations of homemade excellence, anchored by a secret family recipe that remains unchanged.
You’ll taste our old-fashioned care in every bite. We use only the finest natural ingredients, including locally grown pecans that deliver the signature Texas flavor. By producing in small batches, we ensure quality and the smooth, creamy texture that defines our name.
This commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed—we’ve been repeatedly recognized as the Official Best Texas Praline and featured at prestigious events like the Sundance Film Festival.
When you enjoy our pralines, you’re tasting more than candy—you’re savoring tradition crafted with dedication. Like the revered Elgin sausage makers, our success lies in quality, artistry, and heart.
Meet Agnes: Texas’ Largest Squirrel Mascot
Standing tall outside our Sinton storefront, Agnes has become more than Texas’ largest squirrel mascot—she’s the friendly face of Aunt Aggie De’s. This whimsical figure welcomes you to a world of handcrafted sweets, embodying the values even the Washington Post has acknowledged.
When you visit, Agnes isn’t just a photo spot—she symbolizes our enduring commitment to authentic Southern pralines.
What makes Agnes memorable:
- She shares a birthday with founder Eleanor Harren—a special connection the new owners cherish
- She sports themed outfits year-round, delighting kids and adults alike
- She reflects our commitment to gluten-free offerings and local Texas flavor we proudly maintain
Two Million Pralines and Counting: Our Growth Story
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While Agnes charms outside, inside our kitchen, something even sweeter is happening. From humble roots, we now craft over 2 million pralines annually. Our facility spans two buildings in Sinton and receives orders from across the country.
As a proud Texas-founded company, we’ve brought our sweets to events like the Sundance Film Festival and New York Fancy Food Show. Despite seasonal shifts, one constant remains—our devotion to Eleanor’s original recipe and our honored title of Official Best Texas Praline.
We now proudly offer 100% gluten-free and preservative-free options, yet each piece still carries the handmade charm that made Aunt Aggie De’s a household name.
The Sweetest Place to Work: Our Dedicated Team
Behind every perfect praline is someone who pours care into its creation. From six women originally making, dipping, and wrapping by hand, our team has been crucial to Aunt Aggie De’s journey.
Many employees call it the “sweetest place to work,” and their stories prove it:
- Ida Hesseltine joined right after high school, mastering the art of candy wrapping
- Christine Friday recalls Eleanor as a “sweetheart” during her early days in the late 1980s
- Today’s batches are still made using traditions carried on by long-serving team members
Weathering Changes: How We Thrived Through Challenges
Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Aunt Aggie De’s showed resilience and community spirit. For the first time in decades, we closed our Sinton buildings—but you helped us return with record-breaking sales in December 2020.
Our creamy pralines are still made with the same heart and ingredients Eleanor, a proud Sinton resident, valued. Though the business changed hands, we remain committed to the traditions that made the Harren family a local favorite.
Our loyal team—many here for years—kept crafting these beloved treats through uncertainty. Eleanor thanks the Sinton community for their incredible support through every trial.
New Ownership, Same Commitment to Quality and Tradition
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The newest chapter began in 2020 when Molly and Melanie took over our treasured company. Even amid global challenges, they’ve stayed true to the values that have made us beloved for over three decades.
You’ll find our legacy continues in three vital ways:
- Still using only the best natural ingredients in every recipe
- Keeping up our annual production of 2 million pralines
- Hitting record sales in December 2020 thanks to loyal fans and strong leadership
When you visit our Sinton storefront, Agnes the squirrel still welcomes you—a charming reminder that while ownership may change, our devotion to quality and Texas tradition never will.
