The recipe today is an easy way to make an impressive treat. Fill a pretty holiday dish with these sugar coated pecans, or use them to garnish some of your other Thanksgiving dishes with them. Make them part of your centerpiece.
Many of us have walked into a mall food court and been carried away by the sweet aroma of roasting candied nuts. This is so easily achieved at home with our Sugar Coated Pecans recipe that you will be toasting them at home all the time.
Add sugar coated pecans to your salads. Crush them and sprinkle on the top of a spice cake or blend them into softened cream cheese. Imagine how pretty your best pumpkin pie will look with these candied pecans around the top. Make a batch of pecan shortbread cookies or scones.
While this simple recipe is delicious, you can also prepare it to your own personal taste. Consider adding a little more spice to them with pie spice. Make sweet and spicy nuts by adding a little cayenne pepper to the cinnamon and sugar combination. Add an extra, but delicious step by toasting your pecan halves in a hot skillet until very lightly browned, and then proceed with the recipe.
Besides serving them at your feast and using them in other dishes, you can plan on giving small cellophane bags of these toasty nuts as a gift or party favor. Most stores that carry baking supplies also have cute, colorful holiday bags. Add a small note card or holiday recipe card with the Sugar Coated Pecans recipe and include it as part of a family gift.
Your sugary pecans are an ideal little snack while you wait for the main meal to be ready. The nuts provide a bit of hunger satisfying fat and protein to take the edge off your growing hunger. When the kids are “starving” this is a snack that you do not need to feel badly about.
Some people may worry about the egg whites in the coating because the pecans are toasted at a low heat in the oven. The baking temp is warm enough to fully cook them, but if you are concerned use reconstituted egg white powder.
Egg white powder has been pasteurized and there is no chance of salmonella from it. You can find it in the baking section in your favorite store, or in the cake decoration aisle.
Seasoned sweetened pecans have a glossy glaze and a satisfying crunch. You can easily make them a part of your holiday table and your gift giving plans. Try this recipe with other nuts you may have on hand for a real taste treat.
There are a few tips to make fast clean up during your busy prep time. Egg white powder eliminates the mess of cracking eggs while hoping you do not get a bit of shell in it. Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper instead of greasing it. Of course using the zippered bags to coat the nuts makes clean up as simple as tossing them in the trash.
Small touches make the celebration special. Try this easy treat to please the crowds. And don't forget to hide some away for yourself for when the company is gone!
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Sugar Coated Pecans
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 egg white
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 pound pecan halves
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Grease one baking sheet.
- In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy.
- In a gallon zip-top bag, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly.
- Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated.
- Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 60