Ingredients
– 2 cups pecan halves
– 1 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
Equipment Needed
– Baking sheet
– Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
– Medium saucepan
– Wooden spoon or spatula
– Mixing bowl
Step-by-Step Instructions
The first step in making these candied pecans is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, I like to line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—this helps the pecans not stick as they cool. Next, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s nicely melted, I add in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together until it’s a smooth mixture. The smell at this stage is absolutely divine! (See the next page below to continue steps…)