How to make roasted pecans with brown sugar

Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label

×

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Candied pecans make a fabulous snack for holiday guests and parties. These glazed pecans are coated with a buttery brown sugar syrup and then baked to crunchy perfection. All you need is to boil butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar together, add the pecans, and then bake until brown. This sweet, nutty treat is delicious out of hand, as a topping on ice cream or cheesecake, and wonderful when given as gifts; just fill decorative containers and label.

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 3 tablespoons corn syrup, or Lyle's Golden Cane Syrup

• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, light or dark

• 3 cups pecan halves

1. Gather the ingredients. 

   The Spruce / Julia Estrada

2. Heat the oven to 350 F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet (half-sheet pan) with parchment paper.

   The Spruce / Julia Estrada

3. In a large, heavy saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the corn syrup and brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils.

   The Spruce / Julia Estrada

4. Add the pecans to the syrup mixture and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. 

   The Spruce / Julia Estrada

5. Spread the syrup-coated pecans out on the prepared baking sheet.

   The Spruce / Julia Estrada

6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 7 minutes, or until the pecans are browned.

   The Spruce / Julia Estrada

7. Cool completely and transfer to a covered container. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

   The Spruce / Julia Estrada

Ways to Use Candied Pecans

If you can resist not eating all of these right off of the baking sheet, sugar-glazed pecans are delicious when added to several different types of dishes. Pop a few onto a salad with crispy, warm goat cheese rounds, or crush up and use to coat a savory cheese ball. Top a scoop of ice cream or gelato, like sea salt caramel, for a crunchy bite, or mound a few on a pumpkin swirl cheesecake. These sweet nuts are also the perfect touch to almost any cheeseboard.

Other Sweet Pecan Recipes

A good, simple recipe for candied pecans is always great to have in your collection, but it's also nice to have a few other interesting versions to make either in combination or in place of when you're looking for something a bit different. Baked sugared pecans turn out a lovely pale color, where pecans are folded into a sweetened mixture of whipped egg whites and then baked. When you have a bit of time and are looking for something without the sugar, slow-roasted buttered pecans is a nice choice. Or if you need the recipe to be somewhat hands free, a slow-cooker sugar pecan recipe may be just right.

If you'd like a little spice, try Cajun-seasoned pecans using a homemade Cajun spice blend, or if you can't decide, perhaps a sweet and spicy candied pecan is the perfect recipe.

Rate This Recipe

I don't like this at all. It's not the worst. Sure, this will do. I'm a fan—would recommend. Amazing! I love it! Thanks for your rating!