Sweet and crunchy, these Sugar and Spice Pecans are just bursting with amazing flavor!
Pecans have always been my favorite nut. I think it’s because walnut allergies run rampant in my family and so we all kind of steer clear of them – unless they’ve been cooked! It’s not a super severe allergy or anything. It just kind of makes my mouth feel raw. However, since I am a total nut-lover, I often endure the discomfort for that wonderful walnut taste 🙂
But, I digress.
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We’re talking pecans today. Sugar and Spice Pecans to be specific. Think of the awesome flavor that a sugared pecan has and then add cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the mix. Trust me, you can’t eat just one.
I realize I probably should have shared this recipe a few months back but we all know I was on a peppermint kick that just.would.not.stop. So I’m sharing now…forgive me? While these nuts would OF COURSE be perfect for the holiday season, they really, REALLY should be made year-round. These tasty nuts would be perfect for hostess gifts, teachers, parties, the super bowl – you name it!
I brought these to my sister’s house the other day for a after-Christmas party and received RAVE reviews. Those are the kind I particularly like 🙂 If you are a pecan lover like myself, do yourself a favor and make these. NOW. They take less than 20 minutes to make and are worth every second. You may find yourself making double batches in the future and you will find no judgement here. I understand completely.
- 3 cups pecan halves
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 Tbls ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp allspice
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 Tbls vanilla
- ½ cup water
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Sprinkle the pecans on a large baking sheet in a single layer.
- Roast for 8 minutes, stirring once. Remove pecans from baking sheet and place in a bowl. Set aside.
- Generously butter the baking sheet.
- Combine sugar and spices in a small bowl and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Combine sugar mixture, vanilla, and water in a heavy-bottomed 2 qt saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Continue cooking at a medium boil for five minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir mixture vigorously for 1-2 minutes until bubbling subsides.
- Immediately add the pecans and stir until the pecans are coated.
- Quickly pour the pecans onto the buttered baking sheet and separate with a fork.
- Let cool for a few minutes before storing in an airtight container.
Put these on your must-make list for 2014 and come thank me later 🙂
More treats to love:
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crunch Balls
Spiced Chocolate Crackle Cookies
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Linking up at some of these parties.
Michelle says
I wonder what I did wrong? I followed the directions and list of ingredients exactly, but my pecans are swimming in the sugar mixture. It’s so liquidy, even after 30 minutes of cooling, there is nothing to break apart…just pecans swimming in sugar water. Bummer! I had high hopes as they looked so delicious!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Uh-oh! The mixture should be super thick coming out of the saucepan. Maybe double check your measurements? Sorry about that!
Tracy says
I just had the same problem. And I know that I double checked my measurements, cause I always do when making candy anything. Maybe the use of a candy thermometer would have been helpful. I’ve popped mine in the oven to try to salvage the batch.
Kristen Duke says
Yum, yum, yum!! These would be perfect to have out at a party or for a teacher/neighbor gift!
The Sketched Chef says
I can be obsessed with pecans. This is a really wonderful recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Same here! Pecans are the BEST!
[email protected] says
I’m beginning to think that whole “beginning of the year diet” thing needs to be broken about now. These look so YUMMY!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! Yep! Diet schmiet 🙂 Thanks Kristi!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
Yum! I bet these are bursting with flavor. Love that they don’t use egg whites. Can’t wait to try 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They really are Megan! So glad you stopped by 🙂
Cherie says
I made these tonight to take to our Small Group for church. 🙂 They are awesome and they smell sooooooo good! Have you tried this with any other nuts? Peanuts or anything like that? Pecans can be kind of pricey. Thanks for the recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s wonderful Cherie! (BTW, my mom’s name was Cherie – I love it!) I haven’t tried it with any other nuts but it should absolutely work. Peanuts would be perfect!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
Pecans are also my favorite nut. I love to eat them this way. Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Mondays, Trish! Pinned!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Julie!
[email protected] Dairy on the Prairie says
Thank goodness we don’t have nut allergies at our house. I’m pinning and planning to make these soon!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s awesome! Thanks Amy!
michael says
those look delicious, I love all kinds of nuts especially pecan that are candy coated!
check out my site sometime,,, I enjoyed browsing your site! 😉
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you Michael!