Candied Pecans and Almonds Recipe

Introduction

Candied pecans and almonds make a delightful snack or a sweet addition to salads, desserts, and breakfast bowls. This recipe balances warm spices with a touch of sweetness for a crunchy, flavorful treat that’s easy to prepare at home.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted pecans
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted almonds
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• Optional: Pinch of cayenne

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250˚F (120˚C) and lightly grease a nonstick sheet pan with cooking spray or oil.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white, water, and vanilla extract until frothy. Add the pecans and almonds, stirring until all nuts are well coated.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cayenne pepper if using. Pour this sugar-spice mixture over the nuts and stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
4. Step 4: Spread the coated nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Place the sheet on the middle rack of the oven.
5. Step 5: Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, stirring the nuts every 15 minutes to ensure even toasting and coating.
6. Step 6: Remove the nuts from the oven, give them a final stir, and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add a touch of chili powder.
• Use maple syrup instead of vanilla and water for a different flavor profile.
• Try mixing in other nuts like walnuts or cashews for variety.
• Make sure to stir the nuts regularly during baking to prevent burning and ensure even caramelization.

Storage

Store cooled candied nuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. They can also be refrigerated to extend freshness up to a month. To refresh their crunch, warm them briefly in a low oven or microwave before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted nuts instead of unsalted?

It’s best to use unsalted nuts for this recipe to control the saltiness. Using salted nuts may result in an overly salty final product.

Why do I need to use an egg white?

The egg white helps the sugar and spices adhere to the nuts, giving them a crisp, candy-coated texture after baking.

Candied Pecans and Almonds Recipe

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4.4 from 133 reviews

This classic recipe for Candied Pecans and Almonds offers a deliciously sweet and spiced nut treat perfect for snacks, garnishes, or gifts. The nuts are coated in a cinnamon-vanilla sugar blend and slow-baked to a crunchy, caramelized perfection, enhanced by warm spices like nutmeg, cloves, and an optional hint of cayenne for subtle heat.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 3 cups of candied nuts 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Nuts

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted pecans
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted almonds

Coating

• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Spiced Sugar Mixture

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250˚F (120˚C) to ensure a low and slow baking process that will caramelize the sugars evenly without burning.
2. Prepare Baking Sheet: Lightly grease a nonstick sheet pan with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil to prevent the nuts from sticking during baking.
3. Mix Egg White Coating: In a large bowl, whisk the egg white, water, and vanilla extract together until frothy. This mixture will help the sugar and spices adhere to the nuts.
4. Coat Nuts: Add the pecans and almonds to the egg white mixture and stir until they are evenly coated with the frothy liquid.
5. Combine Sugar and Spices: In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, light brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cayenne pepper if using. This spiced sugar mixture adds the signature flavor and sweetness.
6. Coat Nuts with Sugar Mixture: Pour the sugar and spice blend over the coated nuts, stirring well to ensure all nuts have a generous coating of the sweet spices.
7. Bake the Nuts: Spread the nuts in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Place on the middle rack of the oven. Stir the nuts every 15 minutes to promote even baking and prevent burning. Continue baking for a total of 55 to 60 minutes until the nuts are golden brown and crisp.
8. Cool Completely: Remove the nuts from the oven, stir once more and then transfer to a separate surface or dish to cool completely. This cooling period allows the coating to harden into a crunchy, candied shell.

Notes

• Stirring every 15 minutes during baking is crucial to prevent clumping and to ensure even caramelization.
• Use fresh nuts for the best flavor and texture.
• The optional cayenne adds a subtle spicy kick but can be omitted for a purely sweet treat.
• Store cooled candied nuts in an airtight container to maintain crispiness.
• This recipe is ideal for gifts or holiday snacks and can be customized by changing the spices as desired.

Keywords: candied pecans, candied almonds, spiced nuts, holiday snacks, sweet nuts, cinnamon nuts