Candied Pecans
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Candied pecans are so easy to make from scratch, and they will fill your home with an incredible, mouth-watering aroma. Cinnamon candied pecans are great gifts, perfect on charcuterie boards, or toppings for your favorite fall salads or sweet potato casserole.
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These candied pecans have endless options for devouring them to the last crumbs. If you fall in love, know this recipe doubles and triples well. So you can make all the nuts your heart desires.
This recipe requires only seven ingredients, so minimal effort is required. The hardest part is waiting for the candied pecans to bake!
If you have more pecans to use up, Mini Pecan Pies, Pecan Tassies, and Divinity Candy can help you out!
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Reasons You Will Love Candied Pecans
- The nuts give them a crunchy and sweet texture. They are a great snack or topping for a side dish or salad.
- This is a simple recipe that is easy to make. You will find that these easy candied nuts make an excellent gift idea for the holiday season.
- When you snack on nuts, you will gain benefits like healthy fats, antioxidants, and fiber.
- Customize the flavor with different spices or even herbs.
Ingredients For Candied Nuts
- Pecans– Reach for fresh pecans that are not seasoned for these nuts. Pecan halves work best.
- Egg White– The egg white is the binder in this recipe. This means the spices and sugar will stick to the nuts and create a glossy finish.
- Vanilla – The vanilla will add a splash of sweetness to the nuts and help enhance all the other ingredients.
- Sugar – Granulated and brown sugar is used to help richen and sweeten the base of the nuts. The sugar adds flavor and that crunchy finish.
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon will flavor your pecans with a warm spice, offering that fall and winter flavor.
- Salt – Salt will help balance all the sweetness and bring out the flavors within the recipe.
How to Make Candied Pecans
Step 1: Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a bowl. Whisk to combine.
Step 2: Then, add the egg whites, water, and vanilla to a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
Step 3: Add the pecans into the egg mixture and stir to coat.
Step 4: Add half the sugar mixture to the pecans and stir to coat. Once the rest of the pecan mixture is mixed well, add the remaining sugar mixture.
Step 5: Place the coated pecans on a prepared baking sheet. Bake as directed, stirring every 15 minutes.
Step 6: Once done, allow to fully cool.
How to Store
Follow these storing tips to keep fresh and crunchy nuts on hand.
To store the nuts, you must ensure they are fully cool at room temperature. Placing them in a container when still warm will soften them and cause them to become soggy.
Place in an airtight container and store in a container for 1-3 weeks. Depending on the quality will depend on how long the nuts will last. Always watch for any signs of the nuts spoiling.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can double, triple, etc., in the recipe. Feel free to make sure you measure correctly. Then, make sure you have enough room on your baking sheet or that you use multiple pans.
You can snack on them as a treat, top or mix them into salads, use them as a casserole topper, or even top your favorite cake or a bowl of ice cream.
If the nuts are still sticky, they must be cooked longer in the oven. Just return them, allow them to cook a few more minutes, and then check.
You can use any type of nuts you like, including almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios. You can also use a mix of nuts if you prefer.
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This post was originally published January 3rd, 2014 but has been updated with new tips, photos, and measurements.
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Candied Pecans
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Ingredients
- 3 cups pecan halves
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, add in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until everything is incorporated.
- In a large mixing bowl, add in the egg white, water, and vanilla. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.
- Add the pecans into the egg white mixture and stir until the pecans are evenly coated with meringue.
- Add half of the sugar mixture to the pecans and fold in until the pecans are all coated.
- Once the pecans are coated, add in the remaining of the sugar and give it a good stir.
- Place the pecans on the baking sheet and spread out into a single layer.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Flip the pecans every 15 minutes so they don’t burn.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)
i love these!
What a lovely snack I like making candied nuts for foodie gifts. I hope you and your lil’ guy are feeling better soon. It’s a good idea to keep a few posts as back up I always do because of my job and sometimes I am miles away at sea and have no internet connection…. thank heavens for auto scheduling! I’m sure it will all fall into place 🙂