I was looking for a simple gift for my kids’ teachers that I could make at home. I love the taste of cinnamon sugar nuts, but I always thought they were really complicated to make. Turns out they are fairly simple. The only issue with making these to give away is that you end up eating a ton and having a lot less to give away than you thought. I adapted this recipe for Candied Pecans from Taste of Home. Also check out these Peanut Butter Recipes to Make with Kids.
This post contains affiliate links, so if you buy a linked item I get a small commission. For more information please read my disclosure.
Candied Pecans
This recipe will make 2 pounds of candied pecans. You can easily halve this recipe if you don’t need this many.
I bought the nuts in bulk at Costco. I think this recipe would work great with almonds. I plan to try those next!
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place the pecans on some ungreased shallow baking pans and when the oven is warm, heat for 10 minutes.
Take 1 tablespoon of butter and spread on the sides of a large saucepan. Add the sugar, salt, cinnamon and water.
Cook this mixture on low heat while stirring until the sugar is dissolved. When the sugar has dissolved, continue cooking and stirring, now on medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. When it starts boiling, cover and cook for 2 more minutes. Uncover and continue cooking (now without stirring) on medium heat until the mixture reaches a temperature of 236 degrees. You will need a candy thermometer for this step.
When it reaches 236 degrees, remove the mixture from the heat and add the vanilla. Next add the warmed pecans and stir to coat them with the mixture.
Use the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to grease the pans.
Add the coated pecans and place trays back in the 250 degree oven for 30 minutes. Stir the pecans every 10 minutes.
When you take the pecans out of the oven the sugar should have started to crystallize. If it is still in a syrupy stage, just put them back in the oven for a few more minutes.
When done, place pecans on wax paper to cool. When cooled, place in a sealed container. That is, if you don’t eat them all up right then and there. I packed them in mason jars and added a sticker and ribbon for a yummy present that you can feel proud to give!
Food Fun Friday - Candied Pecans
Servings 2 pounds
Ingredients
- 6 cups of pecan halves
- 3 tablespoons of softened butter
- 2 cups of sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- Candy thermometer
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place the pecans on ungreased shallow baking pans and wheat for 10 minutes.
- Take 1 tablespoon of butter and spread on the sides of a large saucepan. Add the sugar, salt, cinnamon and water.
- Cook this mixture on low heat while stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- When the sugar has dissolved, continue cooking and stirring, now on medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil.
- When it starts boiling, cover and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Uncover and continue cooking (now without stirring) on medium heat until the mixture reaches a temperature of 236 degrees. You will need a candy thermometer for this step.
- When it reaches 236 degrees, remove the mixture from the heat and add the vanilla. Next add the warmed pecans and stir to coat them with the mixture.
- Use the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to grease the pans.
- Add the coated pecans and place trays back in the 250 degree oven for 30 minutes. Stir the pecans every 10 minutes.
- When you take the pecans out of the oven the sugar should have started to crystallize. If it is still in a syrupy stage, just put them back in the oven for a few more minutes.
- When done, place pecans on wax paper to cool. When cooled, place in a sealed container.
If you are looking to feed a family and save money with make ahead meals, then one of the best resources I have found is MyFreezEasy. You will be able to create your own meal plans so you can make 10 to 12 meals for your freezer in less than one hour. You can choose from gluten free, slow cooker and clean eating options. You’ll be able to get 10 meals into your freezer without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.
If you liked these Candied Pecans and love nuts, check out:
Fifi @ AboutBloggingTime! says
Okay….these wouldn't even make it out of my house, lol!!
I love candied pecans or pralines yummy!! For summer vacation the hubs and I went to New Orlenas and I think I bought pecans from ever corner that was selling…the hubs doesn't care for them. So I was lucky I didn't have to share.
These look pretty easy to make, I will definitely have to give them a try.
Amy says
Oh. my. goodness. These look SO delicious! I wouldn't share. Nope, no way. Thanks so much for linking up at Shine on Fridays! I'm pinning these suckers!
Debi @ Adorned From Above says
These looI have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Wednesday through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/01/week-in-review-and-wednesdays-adorned.html
Debi @ Adorned From Abovek deliciuos.
Wanda Ann Olsen says
Great pictures and I wanted this recipe. I love to put them in salads too. I would love for you to visit me at memoriesbythemile.com
New follower,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Sinea Pies says
These photos are so beautiful. The pecans look like you could just reach in and scoop them up.
Amanda says
Oh snap. I'm so pinning this recipe. My mouth thanks you, my hips, not so much. 😉
Maria says
This recipe sounds DELICIOUS!!!! I love pecans, and love nuts for a snack, this sounds perfect! Thanks for sharing, they look wonderful!
Katie Drane says
Ohmigosh these look so good! Thanks for sharing:)
Katie
http://www.funhomethings.com
Lisa says
Love these they remind me of Pralines from South Carolina and Georgia.
Cranberry Morning says
These do not go well with my New Year's Resolution, but boy do they look great!!!! 🙂
Bluebell Woods says
do you think they can be done without a candy thermometer? they look so yummy
Janice
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
If you have a regular digital meat thermometer that should work too. You just need something that will give you the exact temperature reading.
Diana - FreeStyleMama says
YUMMMY!!!
Steph @ somewhatsimple says
My mouth is literally watering! Thanks for linking up to my link party! 🙂
Carrie says
Oh, delicious!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
Christina Woodson says
If I make this for gifts and put in mason jars, how long would they keep??
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Christina, We made ours a few days before we gave them, so I don't know how long they would keep. I did package them in mason jars though.