These candied nuts are a crowd-pleasing snack that’s sweet and scented with cinnamon and sugar. A quick and simple Christmas gift or snack for visitors, baked and ready in approximately 30 minutes! Serve with the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball and Bourbon Balls.

I’ve been making these simple candied pecans every Christmas season for, well, forever? I honestly can’t recall ever not making them. It’s my go-to snack to bring to holiday gatherings since it’s quick to prepare and always a hit.

Too many people, I say.

Nevertheless, I like them because you can take a bunch to nibble on while you’re mingling and conversing with others without having to worry about that awful balancing act that comes with appetizers that need a fork or, worse, a fork and knife.

Ingredients for candied pecans

• packed 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
• a cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1teaspoonsalt
• 1 pound pecans, cut in half
• 1 white egg, room temperature, gently beaten

Tips for making candied pecans

• Be careful you use raw pecan halves rather than seasoned or salted ones. If you’re preparing cinnamon sugar pecans, you never know what taste you’ll get if they’re already seasoned!
• Can’t or won’t use egg whites? You can create candied pecans without using an egg. Replace with aquafaba! It’s only the liquid from canned chickpeas, and 3 tablespoons should enough.
• If you want to change up the taste, make them into spiced candied pecans by adding a little nutmeg, ginger, or even a touch of paprika.
• Make sure they are evenly distributed on the baking sheet; if you need to use two baking sheets to do this, do so.

I’ve seen them referred to as glazed pecans and praline pecans in different regions of the nation. But that’s simply a charming way of saying “fancy.” These are not pralines, so don’t panic and assume I’ve gone insane. Get it? Nuts? You understand.

Aside: Do you pronounce it puh-kahn or pee-can? I’ve only ever said puh-kahn, but I’m always amused when I hear someone say pee-can. Why, you could ask? I’m not sure, but it’s probably the same reason I’m amused when folks ask for maple seer-up instead of maple sirr-up.

But really, please tell me which one you say and where you reside in the comments. I’m curious whether this is a regional issue.

Candied pecans make a great gift

Candied pecans are the kind of food that is ideal for putting in a little gift bag and tying with a bow to give to loved ones. Instead, pour into a bowl and eat while watching Elf on your sofa. In any case.

I hope you like these as much as everyone I know does!

Looking for more pecans in your life?

• My Chocolate Pecan Pie Energy Bites taste like pecan pie without the sugar.
• Lauren’s Bourbon Pecan Pie is loaded with flavor. Did I mention there’s a chocolate crust on top?
• Whitney’s Salted Caramel Pecan Money Bread makes me drool every time I see it.
• Another fantastic app for a gathering is this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball.
• Bourbon Butter Pecan Ice Cream is delicious when accompanied with a great drink of whiskey.

For clarification, this piece was edited and reposted in October 2019.