Spiced Candied Pecans with Orange Zest

Ingredients

- 2 cups pecans
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup water
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients:
- Begin by gathering and measuring all ingredients. Ensure pecans are fresh and dry. Zest the orange using a fine grater and set aside.

2. Cook the Sugar Mixture:
- Place a medium-sized non-stick skillet on the stove and set the heat to medium. Add the brown sugar, water, ground cinnamon, salt, and cayenne pepper to the skillet.
- Stir continuously with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar. Once the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat to low.

3. Add Pecans and Flavorings:
- Carefully pour the pecans into the skillet, followed by the orange zest and vanilla extract. Stir well to ensure the pecans are thoroughly coated with the sugar mixture.

4. Candied Pecans:
- Continue to cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the liquid has mostly evaporated, and the pecans are glossy and fragrant. Keep stirring to prevent burning and to evenly coat the pecans.

5. Cool Down:
- Transfer the hot pecans onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a spatula to spread them into a single layer to cool. Allow them to sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes until they are completely cooled and hardened.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT10M
10 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT15M
15 minutes

Total Time

- PT25M
25 minutes

Type of Dish

- Snack

Keywords

- Candied pecans
- Spiced nuts
- Holiday snack
- Homemade treats
- Sweet and spicy
- Easy stove recipe
- Gourmet snack
- Orange zest pecans
- Caramelized nuts
- Savory-sweet snacks

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- 960 calories for the entire dish

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