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If you’re searching for the BEST candied pecan recipe out there, one that is also incredibly simple, you have found it! The holiday season can be exhausting, sometimes cookies take too much time and effort. This pecan recipe will serve as an EASY substitute for those gifting cookies. Give out a bag of pecans instead.

The recipe is simple, grab yourself a 1 lb bag of halved pecans at any grocery store, also pick up some brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, an egg, and a bit of water. It sounds like a lot, but I promise, throwing it together is SO easy. What’s even better is that the pecans smell AMAZING! So not only are you making something delicious, the house smells great for the whole day.

Cooking Them Is So Easy!

Before beginning, pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees. You don’t have to do anything differently if you live at altitude. This recipe works everywhere.

The first step is to mix the sugars, cinnamon and salt. Set that aside for later.

Next you’ll need to separate the egg yolk and the egg white. We will need the egg white for the recipe, throw the yolk in with the chickens or pigs, or even into the compost!

Mix together the egg white, vanilla extract and the water. You need to mix it until it’s really frothy. I use a whisk but do it by hand.

Once it’s really frothy, toss in the pecans and make sure they are completely coated with the egg white mixture. Any pecans that aren’t completely coated, won’t turn out as delicious.

Add the sugar/cinnamon mixture to the pecans and mix well, until all the pecans are coated.

Spread out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Try to get all the pecans spread out and not piled on top of each other but in a single layer. This allows for even cooking.

Cook for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring or tossing the pecans every 15 or so minutes. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on them as they can overlook easily.

Remove the pecans from the oven a cool. These can be enjoyed for up to one month!

5 from 1 vote
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Candied Pecans

Simple, easy and delicious! This candied pecan recipe is great for holiday snacking, gifting or just enjoying on a long weekend!

Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword candied pecans, christmas baking, holiday baking, holiday snacks, homemade pecans, pecan snacks, pecans, thanksgiving baking
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 People
Author Elizabeth

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb Halved Pecans (About 4 cups)
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Egg white
  • 1/2 Tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 Tsp Water

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

  2. In a large bowl, mix together brown sugar, granulated sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

  3. In another large bowl, combine egg white, vanilla extract and water. Beat with a whisk by hand until the mix becomes frothy. Make sure that the mixture is very frothy before adding the pecans.
  4. Once frothy, pour pecans into the bowl and mix until all pecans are coated with egg white mixture.

  5. Add sugar and cinnamon mixture into the bowl with the pecans. Mix well until all pecans are coated with the sugar mixture.

  6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour pecans on baking sheet and make sure pecans are spread out evenly.
  7. Bake for 45 minutes, tossing the pecans every 15 minutes to ensure pecans are baked evenly. Remove from oven and allow set out until cooked completely. These can be stored for up to a month (but I don’t think they’ll last that long!)