How to make Candied Pecans
Crunchy, with just the perfect amount of sweetness and spice, these candied pecans are deliciously addictive! What’s more, it’s crazy easy to make! With this recipe, you’ll perfect how to make the yummiest candied pecans for the holiday season and beyond.
I go nuts for nuts! When I am in the Philippines I binge on peanuts and cashews but when I am in the US, I love to chow on pecans! I love pecans so much that it’s always my first choice for baking. There’s always a pack or 2 of pecan halves in the house because I use it a lot.
If you look at many of my quick bread and cake recipes, you’d see one common ingredient among them – can you guess what? Pecans, of course.
I just love the extra texture, taste, and crunch that these yummy nuts add to any dish, cooked or baked. I, personally, think that adding just the right amount of nuts elevates a dish so I will keep on doing this as long as I cook and bake and no one’s complaining!
When it comes to sweetened nuts, I am most familiar with peanut brittle or perhaps pralines. While I don’t dislike them and could happily have a bite or 2, I find that they can be overly sweet sometimes.
Thankfully, years ago, when a dear friend from church gifted me with a homemade batch of her cinnamon-spiced candied pecans for Christmas, I was introduced to these favorite holiday snacks! Afterward, I was hooked!
I love the enticing flavors of cinnamon spice combined with just the right amount of sugar (not too bland nor too sweet!) generously coating each individual pecan nut!
It was just perfect, in fact too perfect that it is, honestly, so deliciously addictive. I have to count the number of nuts I take each time I try these candied pecans because if I don’t, I’ll finish the entire batch in one seating. It’s that good.
I love that the cinnamon adds so much flavor without being overwhelming and it perfectly balances the sweetness coming from the sugar. Add these to crunchy, tasty pecans and you have a winning snack that would go so quick!
I am so grateful that she kindly shared this recipe with me and even wrote it the second time because I lost the first copy.
What’s more even a child can make it because the recipe is super simple and quick to make. While you preheat the oven, you can start prepping the nuts, mixing it with the ingredients and by the time, you’re done – then it’s time to get it cooking in the oven.
It only takes 20 minutes as well and then you simply wait until it has cooled down a bit (I must admit, I couldn’t help myself and tried it after barely a couple of minutes!). Your tastebuds are delighted to a fine and delicious tasting snack that will often be in your rotation, holiday season, or not!
But that’s not all – you can also use other nuts with this recipe. In fact, I have made this with a combo of pecans and hazelnuts, and that came out great, too. Perhaps I will use some whole almonds or cashews for next time. See the possibilities are endless!
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How to Make Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½-¾ tsp ground cinnamon (adjust to your taste)
- 1/4 tsp salt (optional)
- 4 cups whole pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or use a silpat if you own one.
- Beat egg white until stiff. Add brown sugar and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Mix in pecans and stir until coated. Sprinkle the cinnamon and salt (if using) then toss until pecans are covered with the spice. Pour the nuts onto the prepared cookie sheet – single layer (to avoid the nuts sticking to each other).
- Bake for 30 minutes then flip the nuts over (breaking it up as you do so if some clump together) and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until dry. Remove from the oven and let the pecans completely cool on the baking sheet. The sugar would harden on the pecans. Store in an airtight container.
Last updated on October 31st, 2023 at 08:59 pm
I make candied nuts to serve before Thanksgiving dinner. I tested these out and they’re so delicious and simple to make, I can’t wait for the day to get here.
I made some for Christmas and everybody asked me for the recipe !! So good !
So glad to know that. Yay! Thanks!
I am so making these candied pecans. I love the cinnamon and vanilla you use for the flavoring. Gotta love how fast it is to make these pecans
Yum! These candied pecans look mouth-watering. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
It is not truly the Holiday season until Candied Pecans are made! I actually think I’ll give this recipe a try and gift to neighbors this year (If I can keep myself from eating it all first! haha)
Although I only preferred eating roasted pecans but this one look so delicious and easy appetizer to prepare for everyone. I will definitely making this, thanks for sharing!
Pecans are my favorite for baking too! I love candied pecans and these look spectacular.
These are perfect! What a great way to make pecans even more special! Going to make these for holiday gifts.
These candied pecans are not only great as a snack, but so, so good on top of salads! Just what I needed to use up my pecans!
I love pecans but have never made candied ones. Def going to give this a go at the weekend. It looks pretty easy and I have all the ingredients in the pantry! Yum yum!
I made a batch of your candied pecans this morning and used them on my salad with some bleu cheese crumbles. what a delicious addition!
We sell candied pecans on our farm and I have to say your recipe looks exactly like our pecans. I bet these taste wonderful and make lovely Christmas gifts!
Thank you for sharing. I want to try this one.
Hope you like it. Thanks!
Will Almonds work with this recipe? Has anyone tried it?
Yes, I haven’t done this with almonds but I see not reason why it won’t work. Let us know when you try it. Thanks!