Bourbon Pecans
These Bourbon Pecans are the perfect combination of sweet, spiced, and nutty flavors with a subtle hint of vanilla and bourbon. These flavorful nuts are ideal for entertaining, gifting, or simply enjoying as a snack. With just a handful of ingredients and a little patience, you can create a snack that feels gourmet but is surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re a fan of pecans or looking to elevate your holiday spread, these Bourbon Pecans will surely be a hit.
Toasting the pecans before coating them in a rich, buttery bourbon glaze takes their flavor to the next level. The warm spices, sweet brown sugar, and bourbon meld beautifully, creating a delightful treat that’s hard to resist. Best of all, this recipe doesn’t require special equipment or techniques, making it approachable even for beginner cooks. Plus, it’s versatile enough to be customized to suit your taste preferences.
Perfect as a snack, salad topping, or giftable treat, these Bourbon Pecans can be stored for weeks, making them an excellent make-ahead option. Package them in pretty jars or decorative bags, and you have a homemade gift that everyone will appreciate. Follow these simple instructions and tips to create a batch of these irresistible nuts.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Bourbon Pecans
Yes! While pecans work best due to their natural sweetness and buttery texture, walnuts, almonds, or cashews can also be used. Adjust the cooking time slightly depending on the size of the nuts.
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they can last up to two weeks. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to three months.
Place them back in the oven at a low temperature (175℉) and continue drying. Stir them every 20 minutes until they feel dry to the touch.
How to Fix Two Potential Problems with Your Bourbon Pecans
If the Sugar Crystallizes
Crystallized sugar occurs when the sugar doesn’t dissolve properly into the butter, leading to a grainy coating. To prevent this or fix it:
- Start with the Right Heat: Melt the butter over medium heat, not high heat. The sugar may caramelize too quickly or separate if the butter gets too hot.
- Add the Sugar Gradually: Stir the sugar mixture into the melted butter slowly and whisk continuously. Adding it all at once can lead to clumping.
- Cook Until Smooth: Continue whisking for about 3-5 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved. The mixture should look glossy and smooth without any visible granules.
- Fix Graininess: If you notice sugar crystals forming, add a splash of liquid (such as bourbon, vanilla extract, or a teaspoon of water) and whisk vigorously to help dissolve the sugar.
If the Bourbon Pecans Are Too Sticky
If your pecans remain sticky after cooling, they likely need additional drying time. Here’s how to fix them:
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to a low temperature, around 175℉ (79℃).
- Spread the Pecans Out: Spread the sticky pecans evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they aren’t piled on top of each other.
- Dry in the Oven: Place the sheet in the oven and let the pecans dry for 20-30 minutes. Stir them occasionally to ensure even drying.
- Check the Texture: Once they feel dry to the touch, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely. The cooling process will further harden the coating.
Bourbon Pecans
Ingredients
- 3 cups pecan halves or whole
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp bourbon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ (177℃)
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchmet paper.
- Spread pecans evenly over the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Place in the oven and bake for 7 minutes. Remove and set aside and reduce oven temperature to 175℉ (79℃)
- Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
- While pecans are toasting, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add sugar mixture to melted butter and whisk until the sugar is melted into the butter and no longer granular, approximately 3 minutes over medium heat.
- Add bourbon and vanilla extract, stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add toasted pecans and gently stir to coat in the bourbon-butter mixture.
- Pour pecans back onto parchment paper lined baking sheet and spread them evenly over the baking sheet.
- Place them back in the oven for 1-2 hours, until the pecans are no longer 'wet.' Gently stir them after one hour if they need to continue to cook.
- Remove from the oven and let cool
- Once completely cool, store Bourbon Pecans in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
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