Sweet and Spicy Candied Bourbon Pecans Recipe

Name: Sweet and Spicy Candied Bourbon Pecans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 egg white; 1 tablespoon bourbon; 3 cups pecan halves ((12 oz. package)); ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon salt; ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: These are easy to make and everyone LOVES them. Picture them sprinkled on top of ice cream, cheesecake, or a salad.

How long it takes: 35 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, whisk, shallow baking pan
Servings: 12

Sugar. Bourbon. Pecans. These suckers are dangerous.

Dangerously good.

I’m picturing these candied bourbon pecans sprinkled on top of vanilla bean ice cream, especially with a drizzle of bourbon caramel sauce. They’re so good topping this baked Brie with cranberries appetizer. Arrange them on top of a pumpkin cheesecake or banana cake with cream cheese frosting. Or heck, throw them on a salad, like this shaved Brussels sprouts salad! The possibilities are endless.

Bourbon pecans are a welcome addition to any charcuterie board. They go great with cheese, fruits, meats, and pretty much anything.

Let’s not overlook the fact that they are really good on their own, too. Or as a simple snack with a vanilla bourbon fizz or a maple old fashioned. Or as my husband said, “I wish I had a beer to go with these!”

These are SO good: perfect for gifting, perfect for holiday parties, perfect for anything.

About These Bourbon Pecans

Bourbon pecans have a lot of nuanced flavor. The candied nuts are nice and sweet, with the toasted flavor of the pecans really shining through.

There’s just a touch of cayenne and salt so you aren’t overwhelmed by the sweetness of the sugar and bourbon. You wouldn’t call the pecans spicy hot by any means but they do have a teeny tiny after-burn.

And then the best part: the bourbon! It’s a subtle flavor but it’s noticeable and really sets these apart from standard candied nuts.

What you’ll need: pecan halves, an egg white, a splash of bourbon, sugar, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Make This Recipe Your Own

Substitute another nut. Instead of pecans, try walnuts or another nut of your choice.
Change the spice. Omit the cayenne pepper, if you don’t want the “spicy” aspect. You can replace it with a hint of cinnamon instead.
No alcohol. Rather skip the bourbon? Substitute a tablespoon of water.
Change it up. Try my pecan pralines (they’re amazing!) or easy spiced pecans.

FAQs

Are glazed and candied pecans the same?

Although both glazed and candied pecans are sweet and great for snacking, they are made differently. Glazed pecans may include corn syrup as one of the ingredients, often aren’t baked, and they have a shinier appearance. Candied pecans are made with egg whites, they are baked, and have a sugary coating.
You may notice that the two terms are used somewhat interchangeably.

Why are my candied pecans soft?

Underbaking the pecans can cause them to be soft. Bake them until they are dry to the touch, not sticky (watch them closely so they don’t burn).
Be sure to cool the baked pecans completely before storing them in an airtight container or condensation may form on the inside of the container, making the pecans soft.

Storage Tips

Once the pecans have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container. They’ll keep for at least a week at room temperature and even longer if it’s cool. For longer storage, up to a month, refrigerate them. Bourbon pecans can be frozen for up to two months.

More Nuts & Seeds

Olive Oil Roasted Almonds
Sugar Free Cinnamon Roasted Almonds
Olive Oil and Rosemary Roasted Almonds
Vanilla Bean Candied Walnuts
Smoky Roasted Almonds
Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas) Eight Ways
How to Toast Pine Nuts – 3 easy methods!
Savory Granola (nut-free recipe)

Recipe