Candied nuts are such a delicious snack, but are also fantastic to add to salads and baked goods. Rather than paying top dollar for these, I’ve learned how easy it is to make them at home. You can spice them up, or create any kind of flavor combination that you like.
Have you ever purchased a kitchen gadget, on a whim, only to forget about it? Anyone? C’mon, you must have a bone pile of those, somewhere? One of my very first posts, when I started this blog, a year ago was about a “Nut Roaster” that I bought at Target. I used this product, once, then put it in my “garage pantry” and it got buried and forgotten about. Last month, my husband reorganized the garage which gave me more shelf space to organize my vast collection (I seriously need therapy) of baking sheets, pans and doo-dads that I’ve collected over the years. I decided to read the recipe booklet and try this forgotten purchase once again…
Oh, and these pecans are amazing in this salad. One of our favorites!
How to Make Candied Pecans with a Nut Roaster Pan
Equipment
- Nut stirring pan linked within the post OR–
- non-stick deep skillet and spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon adjust to your taste; I like 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 2 cups nuts pecans or walnuts are excellent, whole almonds are good too
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Mix sugar and cinnamon together. Put nuts and sugar mixture in a nut roaster pan, or any kind of nonstick pan, and a wide paddle spoon can be used.
- Stir to mix.
- Combine vanilla and water in a measuring cup. Add the liquid to glaze/nut mixture in the pan. Place the pan on the burner, on medium high heat.
- The glaze will begin to turn into a thick liquid; boil gently during the process.
- Stir contents slowly and continuously to keep the glaze coating nuts at all times, until the liquid evaporates and nuts are glazed (5 to 10 minutes). When the liquid is evaporated and the handle (or paddle) becomes harder to stir, the nuts are done. Do not overcook!
- Remove the pan from burner. Quickly sprinkle a little water over the nuts (about 1 tablespoon per 2 cups of nuts).
- The mixture will steam, so keep the hands away until the steam dissipates, to prevent burns. Stir nuts to coat even with the glaze.
- Using a wooden spoon or spatula, immediately spread the hot nuts on a non-stick paper (parchment paper is best) cookie sheet to cool. Gently separate the nuts with a wooden spoon. Nuts will be very hot — do not eat until cooled (even though they smell delicious and you will find it very difficult to resist!)
- To store, be sure nuts are thoroughly cooled and then put in airtight containers. Refrigerate to retain freshness or freeze for future use.
- You can reheat in a microwave by spreading on a flat plate and heating for 2 to 4 minutes. Or, on a non-stick cookie sheet, heat for about 7 minutes at 250°F in a conventional oven.Edit my recipe
Notes
Those are dangerous nuts.
Don't send me any for Christmas, because I will eat the whole bag.
Nothing could be easier! I am intrigued as I have never seen this gadget…the nuts look fab!
Your nuts look wonderful. I've never seen a nut roaster either- very unusual, something to look into.
If I had those nuts around, I could not be trusted. I love those things–especially in a salad with endive, pears and blue cheese. Now I'm drooling.
Candied nuts are my absolute fave ~ totally addicting; can't get enough! Thanks for sharing another 'doo-dad' with a gadget-holic!
Debby… I think you were Scarlet O'Hara in a past life, because you are always making terrific southern treats. Your candied pecans could have definitely been traded for the taxes on Tara!
Congratulations to Jen, also.
Debby, Do you think these could be made in a regular pan and just stir constantly? I want them badly!
And cinnamon is not an option- it is essential!
Congrats to the winner of the awesome giveaway!
oh and I say pecahns!
Thank you so much Debby! I am absolutely thrilled to have won! Your candied pecans look delicious! Thanks and congratulations again on your beautiful blog!
I love candied nuts almost as much as I love gadgets. Maybe it will be on sale for the holidays; I must get to Target's.
I love me some pecans, too, and these look dee-lish! I'll have to put that gadget on my Target wish list. Congrats to the lucky winner!
Congratulations to your winner. Your pecans look wonderful. I'm going to try to create them without the gadget. I know they'll be good. Your recipes always are.
Man those look delicious. I used to be able to buy them already candied but have not seen them in awhile, sadly.
The nut roaster looks like a fun gadget! Your pecans look delicious. What a great gift. 😉
Sounds good!iam not aware of this until i see your blog.Want to try out and thanks for your talent.
Oh, my Debby! The WHOLE time I read this post I was nodding my head yes! I, too have a large pantry (with doors) in my garage. My freezer has large bags of nuts and usually two of PEE-KANS. :)Speaking of nuts lets talk about those sinful ones you made here! Is there anyway to talk you into sending me some? No? Guess I need to run to Target to grab me one of those nut roaster pans.
Btw, thanks for the shout out in your last post! KIDS, they've kept me super busy this week. 🙂
Happy Friday!
~ingrid
What a fun gadget…never heard of a nut roaster before. They look terribly addictive 😀
looks delicious! i'd definitely eat the entire batch in about 10 seconds
Oh yeah, definitely addictive .. don't think either me nor hubbs could resist. These would disappear quickly in our house!
Those pecans look wonderful with their crunchy, sugary glaze. That's my favorite kind of treat. And what a great addition to a salad!
…add a pitch of powdered hot pepper and a couple of teaspoons of powdered cocoa to this recipe and strange things will happen to your taste buds and mind. No, really. It will! *-)