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Easy Candied Pecans Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 150 reviews

This Easy Candied Pecans recipe offers two simple methods—oven and crock-pot—to create perfectly sweet, crunchy, and spiced pecans. These candied treats are ideal for snacking, topping salads, or adding a flavorful crunch to desserts. The combination of sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla delivers a warm, rich taste, while the slow cooking or baking ensures the pecans are coated evenly with a delightful candy glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

Oven Method Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 16 ounces unsalted pecan halves (about 4 cups)
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon water

Crock-Pot Method Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 egg whites
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 6 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper and set it aside.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients (Oven): In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
  3. Prepare Egg Mixture (Oven): In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg white, vanilla extract, and water until frothy. Add the pecans and gently fold to ensure they are evenly coated with the egg mixture.
  4. Coat Pecans (Oven): Add the sugar and cinnamon mixture to the pecans and toss until all the pecans are thoroughly coated.
  5. Bake Pecans: Spread the coated pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. The sugar will harden into a candy coating on the pecans.
  6. Cool Pecans: Remove the pecans from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, store in an airtight container for up to one month.
  7. Prepare Egg Mixture (Crock-Pot): In a medium mixing bowl, whisk or beat three egg whites with two tablespoons of vanilla extract until fluffy and frothy, about 1-2 minutes.
  8. Coat Pecans (Crock-Pot): Place six cups of pecan halves in a medium mixing bowl. Pour the egg white mixture over the pecans and toss until fully coated.
  9. Add Spices and Sugar (Crock-Pot): Transfer the coated pecans to the crockpot. Sprinkle with ground cloves, cinnamon, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat all the pecans.
  10. Cook Pecans: Cover and cook on low heat for 2 to 2 ½ hours. Stir the pecans every 20-30 minutes to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. The pecans are done when they become hard to stir and are coated with a hardened sugar glaze.
  11. Cool and Rest (Crock-Pot): Line a large baking sheet or a clean flat surface with parchment paper. Spread the cooked pecans over the parchment and let them rest for about 3 hours or until completely cool and crisp.

Notes

  • Stirring every 10 minutes during baking prevents the pecans from burning and helps to coat them evenly.
  • Ensure pecans are completely cool before storing to maintain crispness.
  • The crock-pot method is great for hands-off preparation and yields a slightly different texture compared to baking.
  • Store candied pecans in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one month.
  • You can adjust the spices like cinnamon and cloves to your preference for more or less intensity.
  • For a nut-free alternative, consider using seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds with a similar coating.

Keywords: candied pecans, easy pecans recipe, spiced pecans, sweet pecans, holiday snack, baked pecans, crock-pot pecans

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/easy-candied-pecans-recipe/