Description
These Candied Pecans are a deliciously sweet and crunchy snack, perfect for holiday gifts, salad toppings, or simply enjoying on their own. Coated in a cinnamon-spiced sugar mixture and baked to perfection, they offer a delightful balance of sweet and nutty flavors with a crisp texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Nut Mixture
- 4 cups pecan halves
Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Binding Mixture
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and optional ground nutmeg to create the sweet spice mixture for coating the pecans.
- Prepare Egg White Mixture: In a separate large bowl, whisk the egg white, water, and vanilla extract until frothy to help the sugar mixture adhere to the pecans.
- Coat Pecans: Add the pecan halves to the egg white mixture and toss thoroughly until they are evenly coated with the frothy mixture.
- Add Sugar Mixture: Sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture over the coated pecans. Stir well to ensure all pecans are thoroughly covered with the sweet coating.
- Bake Pecans: Spread the coated pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, making sure to stir the nuts halfway through baking to promote even cooking and prevent burning.
- Cool and Harden: Remove the pecans from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. This cooling step helps the coating harden into a crisp shell.
- Serve and Store: Break apart any clusters formed during baking before serving. Store cooled pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Store the cooled pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks to maintain freshness and crispness.
- For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sugar mixture before baking.
- These candied pecans make excellent salad toppings, holiday gifts, or a tasty snack on their own.
