Sweet & Simple Sugared Pecans: Your Go-To Recipe for Festive Snacking and Gifting
Indulge in the delightful crunch of candy-coated pecans, exquisitely flavored with warm cinnamon and rich vanilla. These sugared pecans are not just a treat for your taste buds; they’re incredibly versatile, making them perfect homemade gifts, elegant additions to holiday platters, or simply a scrumptious snack to enjoy anytime.
Sugared Pecans? Yes, please! There’s something undeniably captivating about the combination of crunchy nuts enveloped in a sweet, spiced coating. This recipe elevates the humble pecan into a gourmet experience that’s surprisingly easy to achieve at home.
Are You Nutty About Pecans Like We Are?
For many, pecans evoke images of Southern hospitality, holiday pies, and cozy gatherings. But beyond their delicious flavor and satisfying crunch, pecans are a fascinating nut with a rich history and a name that sparks friendly debate worldwide!
How Do You Say It? A Pecan Pronunciation Primer
It varies around the world, doesn’t it? Whether you say pee-KAHNs, pee-CANs, PEE-cans, or pick-AHNs, one thing is universally true: these nuts are beloved. While the most common pronunciations often depend on geographic location (with many Southerners opting for “pee-KAHN”), no matter how you articulate its name, the deliciousness of a pecan remains constant. What’s your favorite way to say it?
The Versatility of Pecans: Beyond Just Snacking
Anyway you say it, there are so many delightful ways to incorporate pecans into your culinary adventures. While a handful of these sugared beauties makes for an irresistible snack, their applications extend far beyond the candy bowl:
- Sweet Baked Dishes: From classic pecan pies and tarts to rich brownies and cookies, pecans add a depth of flavor and texture that is unparalleled. Their buttery notes complement a wide range of desserts.
- Toppings on Salads: Toasted pecans or even these sugared pecans can elevate a simple green salad into a gourmet experience. Their crunch and subtle sweetness provide a wonderful contrast to fresh greens, tangy dressings, and savory cheeses.
- Casseroles and Savory Dishes: Don’t limit pecans to sweets! They are fantastic in savory dishes, adding richness and texture to Thanksgiving stuffings, chicken salads, or even crusts for baked fish.
- Breakfast Enhancements: Sprinkle them over oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, or waffles for an added boost of flavor and nutrition.
- Just Plain Eating: Of course, sometimes the best way to enjoy pecans is simply by the handful. Our sugared pecans are particularly addictive in this regard!
The Health Benefits of Pecans: A Nutritious Powerhouse
Beyond their incredible taste, pecan nuts are a treasure trove of health-benefiting nutrients. They are a rich source of energy and packed with essential minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins crucial for overall wellness. Incorporating pecans into your diet can offer significant health advantages:
“Pecan nuts are rich source of energy, and contain health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for wellness. Pecans are an excellent source of vitamin-E, especially rich in gamma-tocopherol; provide about 25 g per 100 g. Vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen-free radicals. The nuts are very rich sources of several important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. Together, these vitamins work as co-factors for the enzyme metabolism inside the human body. The nuts are also rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Add a hand full of pecan nuts in your diet to keep your diet meter complete with sufficient levels of minerals, vitamins, and protein.” (source: https://www.nutrition-and-you.com )
As highlighted by Nutrition-and-You.com, pecans are particularly notable for their high vitamin E content, a potent antioxidant that plays a vital role in protecting our cells from damage. They are also brimming with B-complex vitamins, which are indispensable for metabolic processes, and a wide array of minerals that support various bodily functions. Just a small serving of these delicious nuts can significantly contribute to your daily nutritional intake, making them a smart choice for a healthy lifestyle.
Here Are Some More Pecan Recipes to Make You Drool!
If you’re as passionate about pecans as we are, you’ll love exploring other ways to enjoy them. Here are a few more mouth-watering pecan recipes from our kitchen that are sure to inspire your next baking adventure:
Imagine soft, sweet rolls drenched in a sticky, caramel glaze and studded with pecans – a truly decadent breakfast or dessert!
For the ultimate sweet tooth, this creamy Caramel Pecan Fudge offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite.
No list of pecan recipes is complete without the timeless favorite: Pecan Pie. A staple for any holiday dessert table.
This easy-to-make Graham Cracker Toffee, often adorned with pecans, is a crunchy, buttery, and utterly addictive treat.
My Journey to the Perfect Sugared Pecans
My love affair with sugared pecans truly blossomed during a recent holiday season. After making my traditional pecan pies for Thanksgiving, I found myself with a generous pound of pecans remaining. Eager to try something new and utilize these delicious nuts, I decided to embark on a quest for the perfect sugared pecan recipe. I scoured countless recipes online, weighing reviews and ingredients, and ultimately settled on one that promised the best results. The outcome was nothing short of spectacular!
I prepared a fresh batch and added them to a festive cheese plate. To my delight, they were an instant hit and disappeared in no time at all. The balance of sweet, crunchy, and spiced was simply irresistible, leaving everyone asking for more. It was clear I had stumbled upon a winner.
Elevate Your Charcuterie Board with Sugared Pecans
Charcuterie boards have become the ultimate sophisticated appetizer, a beautiful spread that offers a little something for everyone. Our sugared pecans are an absolute game-changer when it comes to building a truly memorable board. Their sweet, crunchy profile provides a wonderful contrast to savory meats, sharp cheeses, and fresh fruits, adding an unexpected layer of flavor and texture. Imagine pairing them with a creamy brie, a salty prosciutto, or crisp apple slices – the possibilities are endless and always delicious.
Learn How to Build a Charcuterie Board Like a Pro
A Holiday Tradition: Gifting and Snacking
Given their overwhelming success at Thanksgiving, I knew I had to make them again for Christmas. They are fantastic to have out for casual snacking when guests arrive, or they make a truly fantastic and impressive addition to any holiday platter. Their festive flavor profile of cinnamon and vanilla perfectly embodies the spirit of the season.
The Perfect Homemade Gift
Beyond personal enjoyment, these sugared pecans make for incredibly thoughtful and appreciated homemade gifts. Simply package them up in a beautiful mason jar, tie with a festive ribbon, and you have a charming present that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. They’re ideal for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, or as hostess gifts during the holiday season. The effort is minimal, but the impact is immense!
From a delightful snack to an elegant platter filler and a heartwarming gift, there are so many uses for this utterly delicious and easy-to-make treat. Prepare a batch, and watch them disappear!
Tips for Perfect Sugared Pecans Every Time
- Even Coating: The key to beautifully sugared pecans is ensuring each nut is evenly coated. Take your time during the stirring process, especially when adding the sugar mixture in stages.
- Low and Slow Baking: Don’t rush the baking process. The low oven temperature and hour-long bake time, with regular stirring, ensure the sugar coating adheres perfectly and the pecans toast evenly without burning.
- Storage: Once cooled completely, store your sugared pecans in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks, though it’s rare they last that long!
- Variations: Feel free to experiment with other spices! A pinch of nutmeg, a dash of cardamom, or a touch of pumpkin spice can add another layer of flavor. You could also try a hint of orange zest for a brighter profile.
- Silpat or Parchment Paper: Using a Silpat mat or parchment paper is crucial for easy cleanup and preventing the nuts from sticking to the baking sheet. Greasing directly can sometimes lead to uneven coating.
Happy Snacking!
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Print Recipe
Sugared Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 pound pecan halves
- 2 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120°C). Prepare a large cookie sheet by greasing it lightly or lining it with a Silpat mat or parchment paper for easy non-stick baking.
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In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the granulated sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. Set this aromatic mixture aside.
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In the clean bowl of your stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg whites, water, and vanilla extract together for about 2 minutes until frothy and slightly stiff peaks begin to form. This creates the sticky base for the coating.
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Gently fold the pecan halves into the whipped egg white mixture by hand. Use a spatula to ensure all the pecans are completely coated in the frothy egg white mixture.
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Gradually sprinkle the reserved sugar and spice mixture over the coated pecans. Gently stir to coat, doing this in about 3 stages. This gradual addition helps ensure every pecan receives an even and delicious coating, preventing clumps.
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Spread the coated pecans in a single, even layer across the prepared cookie sheet. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this helps them bake evenly and get perfectly crispy.
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Bake for 1 hour, stirring the pecans gently every 15 minutes to prevent them from sticking together and to ensure an even bake and golden-brown coating.
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Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the sugared pecans to cool completely on the cookie sheet. As they cool, the coating will harden and become wonderfully crunchy. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition