Candied Pecans

Candied pecans are a holliday treat for me, and they make great gifts when jarred and tied with a ribbon. Many grocery stores sell bulk nuts which are also less costly than prepackaged nuts. This was the first time I tried this recipe and I found it to be the easiest with the best results!

 

Image Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/townandcountrygardens/3027311359/

Ingredients:

• 2-3/4 cups pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Place pecans on  a parchment lined cookie sheet, in a 250° oven for 10 minutes or until warmed. Grease a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside.

Grease the sides of a large heavy saucepan with remaining butter; add sugar, water, salt and cinnamon. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil.

Cover and cook for 2 minutes to dissolve sugar crystals. Remove Cover then cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 236° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; add vanilla. Stir in warm pecans until evenly coated.

Spread onto prepared baking pan. Bake at 250° for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Spread on the parchment lined cookie sheet to cool.

~MLE