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Sweet and Spicy Pecans or Spiced Walnuts

By: Author Evelyn Osborn

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An easy recipe for Sweet and Spicy Pecans (crack pecans) or you can make spiced walnuts.  These spicy pecans are a little bit naughty (spicy) and a little bit nice (sweet) that your family will enjoy this Christmas

 
Sweet and Spicy Pecans
 
Around Christmas time our home smells of holiday baking and sweet treats which is a part of this glorious holiday that we love.   It’s such a busy time of the year that sometimes we run around and just check things off the list.  But we forget to take the time to just sit and treat ourselves.
 
Remember the first thing that should be on any to-do list is to treat yourself.  Yes, you need to be first.  It’s not being selfish, it’s taking care of yourself because you deserve to enjoy all the holidays also.
 
We almost don’t believe it’s Christmas until we make our Sweet and Spicy Pecans.  (Or sometimes we replace the pecans and make spicy walnuts.)  This treat is a little bit nice and a little bit naughty and will delight your family and guests with this blend of flavors.
 
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One of the best ways I enjoy treating myself is little snacks that I can munch while I’m doing other things.  I can sit and write out lists or browse new recipes and snack on these sweet and spicy pecans or spiced walnuts at the same time.
 

How to make sweet and spicy pecans

Ingredients:
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, you may wish to use less
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 Tablespoon waster
  • 1 pound Pecan Halves or Walnuts
Equipment Needed:

 

How to make these sweet and Spicy Pecans  (Crack pecans)

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees
  • Mix brown sugar, white sugar, salt, cayenne, pepper, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until there are no lumps and everything is well blended
  • In a separate medium bowl, whip egg white and water until frothy but not stiff
  • Add pecans (or walnuts) to egg white mixture and stir to coat evenly
  • Sprinkle the pecans (or walnuts) with the sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated
  • Spread the nuts on a single layer on a  parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally
  • Remove from oven and stir gently to separate the nuts as they cool
 
 
Sweet and Spicy Pecans
 
 
We usually have a  Christmas dish or a pretty Christmas Canister on the bar, on a side table or near the coffee pot during the holidays.  They are filled with these “crack pecans” that are sweet with the rich taste of brown sugar but have a dash of cayenne that gives these pecans a “bite” of spiciness.  And these spicy walnuts or spicy pecans are very easy to make which makes entertaining a little easier for you.
 
 

Click HERE to save this sweet and spicy pecan recipe to Pinterest

 

spiced nuts
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5 from 10 votes

Sweet and Spicy Pecans

An easy recipe for Sweet and Spicy Pecans (crack pecans) or spiced walnuts that are a little bit naughty (spicy) and a little bit nice (sweet).
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas Pecan Snacks, crack pecans, spiced walnuts, Sweet and Spicy Pecans
Servings: 8
Calories: 430kcal
Author: Evelyn Osborn

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees
  • Mix brown sugar, white sugar, salt, cayenne, pepper, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until there are no lumps and everything is well blended
  • In a separate medium bowl, whip egg white and water until frothy but not stiff
  • Add pecans (or walnuts) to egg white mixture and stir to coat evenly
  • Sprinkle the pecans (or walnuts) with the sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated
  • Spread the nuts on a single layer on a cookie sheet covered with a silicone baking mat.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally
  • Remove from oven and stir gently to separate the nuts as they cool

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg

5 from 10 votes
Recipe Rating




Jan Boesel

Saturday 16th of December 2023

Just finished these. Delish!! House smells wonderful. ๐ŸŽ„

Evelyn

Sunday 17th of December 2023

Yay!! I'm so glad! Merry Christmas

Jamie

Friday 4th of June 2021

By far the best recipe I've used so far. I've tried all different ways. They either come out too hard or ruin the pans or cookware. I think the egg whites help with the separation of the nuts.

Evelyn

Monday 7th of June 2021

Awe, you are so kind. We are so glad you enjoyed them

Jamie Sherman

Monday 24th of November 2014

Yummy!! I should make some of these for gifts this year!

Linda Sears

Sunday 5th of January 2014

spiced nuts. yum! love pecans! thank you for the recipe.

Kelly Blackwell

Saturday 4th of January 2014

Love pecans! Spicy or otherwise. I will definitely give these a try!