Is this Arkansas weather driving you nuts? One minute, we are watching the weather for tornados and warning signs, and now we are anticipating a wintery mix! Well, I have the perfect recipe for you to try as you stay nice, warm and toasty on this chilly day! How about some toasted candied pecans? Once you eat one, you won’t want to stop!
Our youngest son recently went on his first field trip right before Christmas break. They visited a Christmas tree farm, and the kids had a blast. Before we left, I noticed Mrs. Claus had some candied pecans in a beautiful mason jar for sale. My mouth was drooling over this jar of delicious pecans! However, I didn’t want to walk back to the car for money and miss part of the field trip adventures. I had thought we would return another day with our whole family since my son had enjoy it so much. It was a great place to bring the family, but like any family, we got busy during the next couple of weeks before Christmas. It completely didn’t work out with our schedules to return. So, I knew I would never get to taste those beautiful pecans. I decided it was now or never to learn how to make them myself, and that is just what I set out to do!
You will have to try this recipe. It’s simple and easy. I always thought that making candied pecans had to take such a long time since after all, they were so delicious and always for sale at festivals and theme parks. However, it honestly didn’t take no time and the reward was amazing! Also, there are so many things you can add them too! You’ll want to print this recipe, because the next couple of recipes will call for these candied pecans for part of their toppings! Once, I had a bag made of these pecans made, the possibility of yummy recipes was endless!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. of Pecan Halves
- 2 Egg Whites
- 1 ½ Tablespoons of Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Cup of Sugar
- 2 ½ Tablespoons of Water
- ½ teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly lay out your pecans onto the lined pan. In a gallon Ziploc bag, place the cinnamon and sugar in the bag, seal the bag, shake to mix, and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix and whisk together the egg whites, water, and vanilla extract. You will need to whisk until the mixture becomes frothy. Fold in the pecans to this mixture. Make sure that all pecans get moistened. Remove the pecans with a slotted spoon while making sure you aren’t carrying too much of the mixture with you. Drop the pecans into the gallon Ziploc bag. Once all the pecans have been removed from the bowl and placed into gallon Ziploc bag with the cinnamon and sugar mix, seal the bag, and give it a good shake making sure to evenly coat all the pecans in the bag. Using another slotted spoon, remove the pecans from the bag and place on the prepared baking sheet. Lay pecans out as evenly as possible on the pan. Pour some of the extra “sauce” over the pecans for extra yumminess! Place the pan into the oven. Bake for approximately 30 to 40 minutes in entirety until pecans are a golden brown; however, you will need to remove the pan from the oven and stir the pecans about every five minutes. Once the pecans are golden brown, remove the pan from the oven, and let the pecans set for five minutes before stirring and to let cool. Then, the pecans are ready to enjoy!
*Pecans can be stored in an airtight container or a gallon Ziplock bag for up to two weeks and still taste very fresh!
