Candied Pecans Are the Perfect DIY Holiday Gift Idea (2024)

They're coated in a sweet cinnamon mixture!

By Kate Trombly O'Brien and Recipe by Maggie Chaplain

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Candied pecans are a perfecthomemade food giftduring the holiday season. Triple the recipe, then portion the nuts into food-safe gift bags to share with friends and family. While people will likely munch on them straight from the bag, they should know that these cinnamon-spiced pecans are an instant upgrade to all kinds of dishes, both sweet and savory. Pair them with a sugar cookie martini for a festive Christmas partyappetizeror sprinkle them into wintryChristmas salads for added crunch. Try pilingthem onto a charcuterie board, too—they taste great with salami and cheese!

Unlike other glazed pecans that aremade on the stovetop and require a careful eye, this recipe comes together easily in the oven. The egg white helps the sugaryspiced mixture coat every nook and cranny so the pecans are crispy and candy-like. The cinnamoncan be swapped out for ground ginger or applepie spiceor even something savory, like barbecue rub, Old Bay seasoning, or Italian seasoning.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together?

Under-cooking thepecansis the likely cause of stickiness, but the risk is low when they're oven-baked. After the sugar-coated nuts have darkened and turned very fragrant, about 20 minutes in the oven, stir the pecans and separate any pieces that have stuck together. Continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes. They'll crisp, turn brittle and dry as they cool. If any do stick together at this point, they are easy tobreak apart. Be sure to let them cool completely before packaging or storing them.

How long do candied pecans stay fresh?

Once completely cooled, these candied pecans will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to one week at room temperature.

What's the difference between candied pecans and pralines?

Candied pecans are individual nuts coated in a cinnamon-sugar coating, while pralines are clusters of nuts in a crunchy caramel-like coating.

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Yields:
1 - 2 qt.
Prep Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
50 mins

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c.

    granulated sugar

  • 1/4 c.

    light brown sugar

  • 1 1/2 tsp.

    ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp.

    kosher salt

  • 1

    large egg white

  • 1 tsp.

    vanilla extract

  • 1 lb.

    pecan halves (about 4 cups)

Directions

    1. Step1Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
    2. Step2In a small bowl, whisk together the sugars, cinnamon and salt.
    3. Step3In a large bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla extractuntil very foamy, about 1 minute. Add the pecans and stir until well coated. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the pecans and toss until fully coated.Spread pecans into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
    4. Step4Bake for 20 minutes. Stir and spread out evenly again. Bake for another 20 minutes or until the nuts are very fragrant and are starting to darken in color. Let the pecans fully cool in the pan on a wire rack (the sugar will harden as it cools). Break into individual pieces.Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 2 weeks.

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Candied Pecans Are the Perfect DIY Holiday Gift Idea (2024)

FAQs

How do you gift Candied Pecans? ›

Mason Jar Christmas Gifts

Now that you've got your pecans, you'll want to make them look even merrier in a decorated Mason jar. Attach a "handmade" gift tag and put a round sticker on the top of the jar labelled “Candied Pecans”.

Should Candied Pecans be refrigerated? ›

To Store: Candied nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for several weeks. To Freeze: They freeze well in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

How long will candied nuts keep? ›

How long will candied pecans keep? They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, at least three weeks in the refrigerator, or up to two months in the freezer. No matter where you store them, keep in a tightly sealed, airtight container.

How many cups is one pound of pecans? ›

Measurements and Substitutions

If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Who buys the most pecans? ›

Bakers and confectioners are the largest buyers of shelled pecans, using pecans in cakes, pies, pralines and brittles.

Do candied pecans go bad? ›

If you don't plan on eating your candied pecans right away, you may want to consider storing them in the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigeration can keep the pecans fresh for up to three months, while freezing can extend their shelf life for up to six months.

Why are my candied pecans soggy? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

How to make candied pecans less sticky? ›

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

How to warm up candied pecans? ›

original sound - ITZ MERAKI
  1. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, and add pecans. Gently stir to toast for 1 minute.
  2. Add maple syrup and stir to coat pecans. Stir regularly and cook for 3–4 minutes until maple has reduced to a glaze on the pecans.
  3. Carefully remove to a plate, and let cool completely.

What is the shelf life of pecan candy? ›

Approximately 4 cups of pecans are in a 1 lb bag of pecans. #8 What is the shelf-life of your pecan candies? Candy pecans have a shelf-life of 6 months. You can also store them in the freezer or refrigerator to enhance their shelf-life.

Are pecans good for you? ›

Raw pecans pack a 1-2-3 punch of protein, healthy fats, and fiber that can help keep you energized and satisfied. Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which help lower blood pressure. Most of the fat found in pecans is a healthy type called monounsaturated fat.

What is a good substitute for pecans? ›

7 Delicious Substitutes to Pecans for Your Favorite Recipes
  • Almonds.
  • Cashews.
  • Macadamias.
  • Hazelnuts.
  • Pistachios.
  • Walnuts.
  • Sunflower Seeds.
  • Pecan Substitutes.
May 2, 2023

How many cups of pecans are in a 2 pound bag? ›

With over 8 cups of Pecan Halves in each 2 lbs bag and a minimum of 2 years shelf life, you can rest assured that you and your family will be enjoying tasty pecans for a long time.

How many pecans does it take to make 1 lb? ›

For a pound of nutmeat, you will need 2½ pounds of in-shell pecans. In order to help you maintain the highest quality pecan meats, we have developed the following guide to help you understand the best way to handle and store your pecans.

How do you package pecans? ›

Airtight containers, such as jars with lids, are best for storing pecans in the refrigerator. Be wary that you do not want pecans to “sweat”. Sealed plastic bags are best for storing pecans in the freezer. In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months.

How do you reheat candied pecans? ›

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, and add pecans. Gently stir to toast for 1 minute.

Are candied pecans shelf stable? ›

#8 What is the shelf-life of your pecan candies? Candy pecans have a shelf-life of 6 months. You can also store them in the freezer or refrigerator to enhance their shelf-life.

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