Easy Candied Pecans Recipe
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This easy candied pecans recipe is going to be a huge hit with your family. They’re almost like having a bite of pecan pie but in a snackable form!
Candied pecans feature a sweet caramelized brown sugar coating that’s mixed with pecan halves(or even pieces) for a simple seasonal snack.
How do I this Candied Pecans recipe?
Candied pecans can be used in so many ways! Top salads with them or mix them INTO salads like our favorite Broccoli Cauliflower Salad. They bring a sweet candied flavor to that salad!
Or add them to cookies like these Kitchen Sink Cookies Or Brookies. Actually, you can add them to any cookie recipe you like! Or chop them up and sprinkle them on top of frosted cookies. SO GOOD!
Or put them on your favorite Charcuterie board, like this Apple Pie Dessert Board. The crispy sweet caramel flavor is the perfect addition to any
Serve them at Christmas or Thanksgiving in little dishes on the dinner table for a little nibble snack. Or put them on the potluck table!
You can even top sweet potato casseroles or fabulous pumpkin scones!
Can I buy Candied Pecans?
Sure you can! You can get these candied pecans from nuts.com. or grab the Praline Pecans from costco! But this candied pecans recipe is SO quick and easy you can make them faster and easier than going to the store to buy them.
What do I need to Make this Candied Pecan recipe?
Because this recipe is SO easy you don’t need much at all. To make pecans that are candied you will need:
- A heavy bottom saucepan OR skillet, you can use either pan, the heavy bottom means you won’t burn the mixture while it’s cooking
- brown sugar, I used light brown but you can also use dark brown
- water
- salt
- vanilla
- cinnamon
Optional Ingredients
- Flaky Sea Salt like Maldon Sea Salt (to sprinkle on top of the just candied pecans
- Cayenne Pepper to make them spicy(add that when you add the cinnamon)
- Citrus Zest–try lime, lemon, or orange for a flavor kick, add this when the mixture comes to a boil
- Red pepper flakes
If you’re using any optional ingredients stir them in right before you pour the pecans out to cool.
How to store candied pecans
The enemy here is humidity, not time. Get them completely cool before they go anywhere, and I mean COMPLETELY, because a little warmth left in them turns into moisture in the container, and moisture turns that gorgeous crisp shell sticky. Airtight, room temperature, about 2 weeks.
If your kitchen runs humid and they go tacky on you anyway, spread them on a sheet pan in a 250 degree oven for 10 minutes and let them cool again. That usually brings them back. Sometimes it doesn’t, and they’re still perfectly good to eat, they’re just not pretty anymore.
Love candied pecans??
If you love candied pecans wait until you try my No Corn Syrup Old Fashioned Pecan Pie! We love this pie, (and apparently, everyone else does too!) and it’s a family staple for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Or try my Double Decker 2/1 Pecan Pumpkin Pie!
Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 1/2 TBSP water
- 3/4 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon up to 1 tsp for more flavor
- 1/2 tsp sea salt omit if you want to sprinkle flaky salt on top of the pecans later
- 2 1//2 cups pecan halves
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil, set aside
- Place a heavy bottom saucepan on a burner
- Add brown sugar, water, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt if using
- Turn on the burner to medium
- Cook and stir until the mixtures comes to a boil, boil without scorching for 1-2 minutes
- Add the pecans and stir to coat, cook for another minute or two, again do not scorch this mixture
- Spread on the prepared pan to cool
- If you want the pecans separated now is the time to do it while they're warm
- If you want to sprinkle on Maldon Sea salt do it when the pecans are spread on the pan and still warm
Video
Nutrition
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- French Dip Biscuit Casserole
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I love making these as an easy app/snack to bring to parties or poolside!
I just love these candied pecans, I made them for a quick snack initially, but have been adding them to salads lately for something a bit different, works wonderfully.
I had friends coming around for a glass of wine and these candied pecans were the perfect snack to serve with it!