Description
Delicious homemade candied pecans featuring toasted pecans coated in a spiced brown sugar glaze. Perfect as a snack, salad topping, or gift, these crunchy pecans are flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla for a sweet, aromatic treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pecans and Coating
- 3 cups pecan halves
- 4 tablespoons water
- 1½ cups light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to cool the pecans later.
- Toast Pecans: Add 3 cups pecan halves to a large nonstick skillet and toast over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often until fragrant. Transfer toasted pecans to a bowl and set aside.
- Combine Sugar and Water: In the same empty skillet, add 4 tablespoons water and 1½ cups light brown sugar. Stir just until combined with the sugar, but do not stir again.
- Boil Sugar Mixture: Cook over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil in the center.
- Add Pecans and Flavorings: Once boiling, add toasted pecans, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg to the skillet.
- Coat Pecans: Stir continuously for about 1 minute, ensuring even coating of the pecans with the sugar glaze.
- Simmer and Stir: Turn heat to low and continue stirring the pecans for 3 to 5 minutes to fully develop the coating and prevent burning.
- Cool in Pan: Let the nuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so they don’t stick together.
- Spread and Cool Completely: Spread pecans out on the prepared parchment or wax paper, breaking up any clumps, and allow them to fully cool before storing or serving.
Notes
- Make about 12 servings of ¼ cup each.
- Store candied pecans in an airtight container for up to 6 months in the freezer or 3 months on a shelf.
- Use parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking while cooling.
- Stirring continuously during cooking ensures an even sugary coating and prevents burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
