Sugared Pecans
These classic Sugared Pecans are a quick and easy snack to keep around during the holidays!
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Growing up, I remember going to my grandparent’s house in upstate South Carolina. Come to think of it, I mention going up there quite a bit. Even though I didn’t realize it at the time, those trips were creating lasting memories that I will hold on to for a lifetime. My grandma was a great cook, and many of my recipes can be traced back to her. And my grandpa? Well, he was a great man…and he loved to eat!
My grandparents had several huge (I mean huge) pecan trees growing in their backyard. I remember that whole section of the yard being covered with broken, brittle pecan shells thanks to the squirrels. But there were more pecans there than even the squirrels could eat.
Whenever we’d visit in the Fall, I remember my grandmother paying me $1 to go collect a bucket of pecans from the backyard. In hindsight, this was probably a very cheap way of entertaining me for a while…especially since the bucket was one of those bushel-sized baskets leftover from picking peaches in the summer. Think about how many pecans that is…yeah. A lot.
Hey, I didn’t mind collecting those pecans one bit, though. $1 in a kid’s hand could go a long way…at least back in the mid-80’s. Once I was done picking up pecans, I’d bring them up to the screened-in porch. Then while everyone was sitting around at night visiting, we’d shell pecans. It was a mindless task, but it resulted in a lot of fresh pecans. Man, what I wouldn’t give to have several huge pecan trees in my backyard now!
My grandmother used those pecans in all sorts of recipes…but one of my favorites was just these simple Sugared Pecans. These are incredibly easy to make, and they’re a great treat to keep on hand for when people drop by to visit during the holidays. (These Sugared Pecans also make great neighbor gifts, too!)
We took some of these pecans with us when we went down to visit our friends in NYC a while back. We ended up having an impromptu whiskey and rye tasting one evening, and we sat around nibbling on these pecans at the same time. I highly recommend keeping a batch of sugared pecans on the counter throughout the holidays. You never know when some friends might drop by. The only challenge is making sure you don’t eat the entire batch by yourself. Cheers!
What is your favorite snack to keep on hand during the holidays?
Have you ever shelled pecans?
Sugared Pecans
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg white
- 1 Tbsp water
- 4 cups pecan halves
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Brush foil with the melted butter; set pan aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white and water. Add pecan halves and toss until well coated.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the sugars, salt, and cinnamon. Add this mixture to the bowl with pecans and toss until well coated.
- Spread pecans across buttered baking pan. Bake at 300°F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Let cool before serving.
- {Optional} Toss pecans in an additional 2-3 Tbsp of sugar after they've cooled.
I’d love to have a pecan tree in my backyard!!! 🙂 love this recipe from your grandmother!!! and yeah, these would not last long at my house! love!
Tell me about, Alice! I would give anything to have a steady supply of pecans in my backyard now! 🙂
Shelling pecan is on my bucket list of things I want to do. Your childhood sounds pretty idyllic! I can imagine that’s a great way to occupy kids, so maybe we should try growing one here. If only it would withstand the northeastern winter!
These are always fantastic to have on hand, and yours look perfect. I also love doing baked brie this time of year and having it around with green apple slices and crackers. Nobody wants to stop eating that!
Haha…thanks, Mir! I guess I didn’t think of my childhood as idyllic, but then again how often do you get to sit on a wrap-around screen porch in the South shelling pecans with your grandparents? I’d give anything to go back to those days now! Baked brie is an excellent company dish…and I haven’t made any in a while. I’m thinking I need to find an excuse to get that in the oven this weekend! 🙂
David!! I have never shelled a pecan and love to have pecan trees on my grandma’s house, She did have bee hives! and we got to collect honey! love this recipe and lla your memories as a child! we truly had a different upbringing than kids nowadays!!
Oooo…bee hives is pretty darned awesome, Gaila! I’ve toyed (not seriously) with having bee hives. Mainly, I just think it would be cool to get honey in the backyard. I don’t think my wife is as crazy about the thought of a bunch of bees as I am, though. You’re right, too…kids nowadays have such a different childhood. Here’s to the old memories! 🙂
We have a pecan tree, and my dad shells pecans to sell to people. I think we have extra so maybe I will ask my mom to make this! Thanks 🙂
Wow, that is so awesome! I would give anything to go back to the days of shelling pecans with my grandparents. And I would totally buy some pecans from your Dad if you were nearby! But yes, ask your Mom to make these Sugared Pecans for the holidays…they are crazy delicious! 🙂
Pecans are the best type of nut!! This would be a perfect Christmas gift… just looking at the ingredients has me licking my lips haha
Haha! This recipe couldn’t be easier if it tried, Beverley…the only bad thing is how fast it disappears! I’m thinking we need another batch here soon. 🙂
Love the part where your grandpa loved to eat 🙂 Sounds like my hubby 🙂 These sugared pecans look sooooo good! 🙂
Haha…thanks, Johlene! My grandpa was a good man, and he really did know how to eat. I’d give anything to go back to the days of hanging out with him on that porch!
Hi David! These would not last as long with me as your almond stash around your father in law! Definitely making these and will TRY to ration them! Have everything to make the Wasabi Soy Party Mix, except that I buy Crispix cereal instead of three different boxes of cereal (more cost effective for me) and I will have to control myself with that too! PS Gary scowled when I picked up the pretzels at the store today – I just smiled and put them in the cart! 🙂
Good luck rationing these out, Dorothy…one bite will lead to two will lead to an empty container! 🙂 Haha…I can’t wait to hear about the Wasabi Soy Party Mix recreation, too. (I totally get just buying one cereal, too.) And tell Gary he can just deal with the pretzels…haha! 🙂
I can never resist pecans especially the ones covered in sugar and cinnamon!
These bad boys are a holiday staple around our house! Thanks, Manali! 🙂
These sugared pecans look great, David! They would not last last in our house that’s for sure! 🙂
Thanks so much, Jess! Let’s make Santa some Sugared Pecans instead of cookies this year? 🙂
How strange is this – I tried these for the first time last night when I bought a bag from the Christmas market. They were AMAZING, but so expensive (for what they are), so I am happy to see how easy they are to make. This is on my “to make” list now.
Yeah, nuts are indeed expensive…but these are incredibly (like crazy!!) easy to make at home, Dannii. Just don’t blame me when you want to make a 2nd…and then a 3rd…batch. 🙂
Ooh dear – sugared pecans are my fav! I used to have a co-worker who would bring Lil Shashi and I a big huge bag of them – then he quit – and so did my love affair with sugared pecans – time to rekindle it with this recipe! 🙂
Even though you got totally gypped for pecan picking – those mindless tasks with grandparents have a tendency to become priceless memories!
What? He quit? Did his drone hit a tree? You totally need to rekindle that love affair…especially because these are so incredibly easy to make! Now I wonder if I can con Robbie into picking up apples for me…haha! 🙂
Have I ever shelled pecans? Oh yes! 🙂 My grandparents had huge pecan tree in their backyard and we spend many days picking and eating them right in the yard. I love this recipe and would love to have a bowl of these pecans right now. They are a perfect treat during the holidays for sure.
Side Note, did you know my home town of Florence, SC has a Pecan Festival every year in the fall? A well-known pecan company in my hometown is also Young Pecan. 🙂 #pecanfacts http://www.florencedowntown.com/downtown-events/pecan-festival/
Of course you’ve shelled pecans, Tamara! After all, we totally grew up in the same area. 🙂 I didn’t realize that Young Pecan is from Florence…I totally have some of their pecans right now! And I clearly need to November 5 on my calendar for next year…I have a pecan festival to attend!
Gotta try these, love the salt addition, too!
Thanks, buddy! These are pretty darn addicting…so you’ve been warned! 🙂