Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (2024)

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This Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe is a delicious, sweet, and savory snack that will make you go nuts. With just 3 ingredients needed this candied nuts recipe is perfect for snacking, desserts, and on top of salads!

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (1)

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans

Brown sugar candied pecans are the perfect recipe for your next party or holiday gathering. You can even try making these in bulk to give as gifts! These Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipes are easy to make and contain only three ingredients: brown sugar, butter, and pecans.

Brown sugar and butter combine to give these candied pecans a rich, caramel-like flavor. Brown Sugar Candied Pecans are the perfect sweet mix for your next party or holiday gathering!

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (2)

I love making this easy treat for snacking but I also love making them give as gifts. These nuts are always a big hit when I have given them as a gift. So if you are looking for a tasty holiday gift these are perfect! When I give them as a gift I like to make a little basket up that includes these candy nuts, peppermint hot chocolate spoons, Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bombs, Marshmallow hot chocolate cups, and Christmas Tree Oreos.

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (3)

Tips for Making this recipe

Prepare ahead of time. It is important to have your baking sheet lined ahead of time before you start cooking the candy pecans because you will need to transfer them from the pan on the stove to the baking sheet quickly.

Use parchment paper or a silicone mat. It is important to line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, do not use waxed paper, the nuts will stick to it.

Allow the nuts to cool completely. The nuts will be sticky when you put them on the baking sheet, allow them to cool completely and they will harden as they cool.

Watch the nuts cooking. These candied nuts will cook quickly, so be sure you keep an eye on them as they are cooking.

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (4)

Why are my Pecans sticky?

The candy pecans will be sticky as they cool, but if they are still sticky after they cool that means the sugar did not get cooked enough when they were cooking on the stove.

How to Fix Sticky Candy nuts

If your nuts are sticky after they are cooled you can save them and fix them. Just put the baking sheet with the nuts on it in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until the sugar has hardened and they are less sticky.

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (5)

How to Use Candied Pecans

While candy nuts are a great snack there are lots of other uses for them as well. I like using them for gifts because everyone always loves them but I also like to make them and have them on hand because they are so tasty.

  • Salad toppings
  • Yogurt Parfaits
  • On top of Oatmeal, like Pecan pie Oatmeal and Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal.
  • add to snack mix like crock pot chex mix or popcorn snack mix
  • Topping for sweet potato casserole, baked sweet potatoes or microwave sweet potatoes.
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How to Store Candy Pecans

Candy pecans need to be stored in an airtight container. They can be stored on the counter or in the fridge.

How Long do Candied Pecans last?

Candy pecans will keep for 1 week at room temperature, 3 weeks in the fridge.

Can I freeze candied Peans?

Candied pecans can last for up to 2 months in the freezer if kept in an air-tight container.

Can I make these sugar free?

If you are on a low carb diet or sugar-free diet you can use brown Swerve instead of brown sugar.

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (7)

Brown Sugar Candied PecansIngredients

  • butter
  • pecan halves
  • brown sugar

How to make Brown Sugar Candied Pecans

Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat.

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (8)

Stirin the pecans and brown sugar, making sure they are well coated.

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (9)

Cook pecans over medium heat until the sugar begins to caramelize and the sauce thickens (about 3 minutes).

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (10)

Spread out pecans on a lined baking sheet to cool.

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (11)

Pecan Recipes

  • Cinnamon and Sugar Pecans
  • Pecan Pie Bars
  • Pecan PIe Waffles
  • Pumpkin Pecan Granola
  • Pecan Sticky Buns

Brown Sugar Candied Pecans

Created by Lauren

3.81 from 104 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 4

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

This Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe is a delicious, sweet, and savory snack that will make you go nuts. With just 3 ingredients needed this candied nuts recipe is perfect for snacking, desserts, and on top of salads!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat.

  • Stirin the pecans and brown sugar, making sure they are well coated.

  • Cook pecans over medium heat until the sugar begins to caramelize and the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes

  • Spread out pecans on a lined baking sheet to cool.

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 189IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

brown sugar candied pecans, candied pecans, candy pecans

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Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (13)

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Brown Sugar Candied Pecans Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my candied pecans soggy? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

Under-cooking the pecans is the likely cause of stickiness, but the risk is low when they're oven-baked. After the sugar-coated nuts have darkened and turned very fragrant, about 20 minutes in the oven, stir the pecans and separate any pieces that have stuck together. Continue to bake for an additional 20 minutes.

How do you make candied pecans less sticky? ›

Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325° F and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

How long will candied pecans keep? ›

How long will candied pecans keep? They will keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature, at least three weeks in the refrigerator, or up to two months in the freezer. No matter where you store them, keep in a tightly sealed, airtight container.

Why didn't my pecan candy harden? ›

If you beat too long, the candy will seize and start to crumble. If you don't beat it long enough, then pralines won't set properly and will stay soft and sticky. Work quickly to drop heaping tablespoons of pecan praline mixture onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Why are my candied nuts grainy? ›

Recipe Notes

Do not stir the sugar with a spoon before adding the nuts, it will cause the sugar to crystalize and have a gritty unpleasant texture, if needed swirl the pan. Make sure to remove the skillet from the stove as soon as the sugar is golden brown.

Do candied pecans need to be refrigerated? ›

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Keep your candied pecans away from sources of heat and moisture. This means avoiding storing them near your stove, dishwasher, or even on top of your refrigerator. Instead, store them in a cool pantry or cupboard.

What if candied nuts are too soft? ›

If your candied pecans are soft, it is likely because the sugar syrup coating has not completely hardened. The syrup may still be wet, or it may have started to crystalize. If the syrup is still wet, you can try putting the nuts in the oven for a few minutes to help the syrup harden.

Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

How many cups is 1lb of pecans? ›

Measurements and Substitutions

If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

Why do you soak pecans in water? ›

"Essential nutrients like iron, protein, calcium, and zinc are better absorbed by the body when you soak the nuts. The water removes the phytic acid present in acids which causes indigestion. So, soaking nuts helps in digesting them properly and reaping the benefits of these nutrients.

What is the difference between candied pecans and praline pecans? ›

Praline pecans are just one variety of candied pecans. These pecans have a tasty coating or glaze and are also referred to as flavored pecans.

How can you tell if pecans are rancid? ›

Fresh pecans have a distinct aroma, characterized by their sweet, nutty scent. They should have a firm, almost crunchy texture and a rich golden or amber color. On the flip side, bad pecans may show signs of spoilage, such as a rancid smell, a shriveled appearance, or a soft and rubbery texture.

What causes pecans to go bad? ›

Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humidities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining.

How long do pecans last in a ziplock bag? ›

Sealed plastic bags are best for storing pecans in the freezer. In-shell pecans can be stored in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months. They can be refrigerated up to 18 months and frozen for about three years.

How do you fix soggy nuts? ›

Just toasting them in a dry pan or oven should be enough to revive them, but they'll also go in any recipe that requires nuts. We got through most of ours by toasting them with spices, to eat as nibbles or to add crunch to soups, stews and salads.

How do you dry wet pecans? ›

Pecans often contain excessive moisture when they first fall. The nuts should be dried before they are put in storage. Drying can usually be accomplished by placing the pecans in a shallow layer in a warm, dry area for two weeks. Adding fans and heat can speed drying.

Why are my candied walnuts soft? ›

Candied Walnuts Recipe FAQs

These last for up to 1 week at room temperature, 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and 2 months in the freezer. Why are my candied walnuts soft? If they are soft you likely did not bake them long enough.

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