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 to gift candied nuts? ›

I pack them up in a pint Mason jar and add a bow. Sometimes I include a small ceramic bowl to the gift so the recipient has both the nuts and the serving piece. But most of the time, they end up eating them straight from the jar!

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 do you keep candied pecans from sticking? ›

How to keep candied nuts from sticking? Toss the nuts with a spoon every 10-15 minutes during baking. Also, use a large baking tray and space the nuts out as evenly as you can to prevent overlapping.

Are nuts a good Christmas gift? ›

Why do nuts make such a great Christmas gift? Firstly, they're totally delicious with the added bonus of containing healthy omega-3 fat and a number of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and vitamin E. They're also rich in energy and protein for bodies of all ages and stages!

What is the tradition of giving nuts at Christmas? ›

Hazelnuts (and nuts in general) were ancient symbols of good luck and fertility which were given new Christian meanings and remain a common part of Christmas traditions even today. Physically characterized by three distinct parts, nuts were interpreted as a sign of the Trinity.

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 long do pecans last in a ziplock bag? ›

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. They can be refrigerated up to 18 months and frozen for about three years.

How do you reheat candied pecans? ›

In a saucepan on the stovetop, gently warm on medium heat until hot, constantly stirring roughly between 2 and 5 minutes. Place the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Check and stir at the halfway point.

How many cups is a pound of pecans? ›

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.

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.

Can dogs have pecans? ›

These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

Why are my pecans sticky? ›

The real culprits behind the honeydew are aphids. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that suck sap from plant leaves. Many species of aphids exist and attack various plants, but two types of aphids attack pecan trees and secrete honeydew, the yellow pecan aphid and the black-margined aphid.

Can you vacuum seal candied pecans? ›

Make These Candied Pecans in Advance

Storing: For best taste and freshness, store these tasty snacks in an airtight container, such as a glass mason jar or a vacuum-sealed plastic container. They will keep for 2-3 weeks at room temperature.

How do you package candy for gifts? ›

Glue a doily onto sturdy cardboard backing. Fill a small treat bag with candy, tuck it inside a cute holiday-themed cookie cutter and tape or glue to doily. To finish, add a pretty ribbon on top.

How do you reheat candied nuts? ›

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

How do you serve nuts to guests? ›

Mix Up Your Nuts

(We're fans of little mason jar shot glasses.) You can also fill paper candy cups or mini muffin cups with a variety of nuts, crackers or cheese cubes.

How do you get candied Ajilenakh nuts? ›

Purchase Recipe from Enteka

You can buy the Recipe for Candied Ajilenakh Nut from Enteka at Puspa Café! This shop is located south of Sumeru City, on the rightside street past the Adventurer's Guild.

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