These easy cinnamon and sugar candied pecans taste just like the kind you pay a fortune for at the mall! You won’t believe how easy they are to make at home (how-to video below!).
I have made these numerous times and they are well received. I have continued to use the two egg whites although I am not sure if it is necessary or not. I use 2 tsp. of water and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. They turn out wonderful. This is an outstanding recipe. I do make a slight change in the directions. I whip my egg whites in my 5 quart bowl from my Kitchen Aid Mixer. I add the pecans and stir. I then slowly add the sugar mixture right into the bowl with the pecans. I mix after each small addition of sugar. I find it mixes well this way. I have tried the ziploc bag method and find it is not necessary. All in one bowl works well for me. Another update as of 10/2009. I have continued to make these for parties and gifts. I get many requests for the recipe. In the past I always used sugar made from sugar beets. Recently I switched to buying sugar made from sugar cane. I have to say I prefer these made with sugar from sugar beets. It seems like the sugar from sugar cane melts more so the pecans look a bit different. They still taste okay, but I will be buying sugar from sugar beets again for this recipe.
Naming these easy cinnamon and sugar candied pecans as ultimate favorite holiday recipe this year is so, so tempting as I’m writing this. And I would do it. I really would! Except for a magical cookie recipe I’m going to post next week.
So in an effort to remain calm and collected, instead I’ll just say: IF YOU DON’T MAKE THESE CINNAMON AND SUGAR CANDIED PECANS, YOU ARE QUITE DECIDEDLY A BIT CRAZY AND MUST NOT WANT MAXIMUM JOY IN YOUR LIFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
Ingredients:
1 egg white
2 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1lb pecan halves (1 pound)
1 cup sugar
½ – 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (your preference)
½ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees
Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray
Mix sugar, cinnamon and salt in a large ziploc bag
Whisk egg white, water and vanilla in a large bowl until frothy (you can use a fork or electric mixer, either works just fine)
Add pecans to large bowl and stir to combine, coating each pecan in egg white mixture
Pour coated pecans into ziploc bag, seal and shake to fully coat in cinnamon/sugar mixture
Spread out in a single layer onto prepared baking sheet
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.