Description

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into irresistible glazed pecans, filling your kitchen with warm spices and citrus aromas. It’s easy to make for snacks, salads, or impressing guests, ensuring perfectly crisp, sweet pecans every time.

Ingredients

Scale

14 oz pecan halves
0.5 cup granulated sugar
0.25 cup light brown sugar, packed
0.25 cup water
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (Swap: A high-quality plant-based butter works well for a vegan option.)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon ground cardamom
0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
Zest of 1 large orange, finely grated
1 teaspoon pure orange blossom water (Swap: If unavailable, extra orange zest can boost citrus notes.)
2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios, for garnish
Strips from 0.25 orange, for garnish
0.5 teaspoon flaky sea salt, for garnish

Instructions

Prep Oven and Tray: Preheat oven to 150 C (300 F); line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Create Glaze Base: In a medium saucepan, combine granulated and light brown sugar, water, unsalted butter, cinnamon, cardamom, sea salt, and orange zest. Heat over medium, stirring until melted, dissolved, and gently boiling (3-5 min); mixture should look glossy and clear.
Coat Pecans: Remove from heat; stir in orange blossom water. Immediately add pecan halves, stirring thoroughly until evenly coated and glistening with the glaze. (For a low-carb option, use 1:1 sugar alternative. For a vegan option, use plant-based butter.)
Bake Pecans: Spread pecans evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 150 C (300 F), stirring every 10-15 minutes, until a deep golden color and a set, shiny glaze are observed. (If the glaze seems too thin or sticky, extended baking for a few minutes can help it dry and set.)
Cool and Garnish: Remove from oven; immediately transfer pecans to clean parchment paper or a wire rack to cool for 15-20 minutes. Glaze will harden and crisp; break any clusters. Once completely cooled, sprinkle with finely chopped pistachios, thin orange zest strips, and flaky sea salt.

Notes

Store cooled glazed pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For a low-carb version, use a 1:1 sugar alternative. For a vegan option, use plant-based butter.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 0.25 cup (about 50 g)
Calories: 450 calories
Sugar: 19 g
Sodium: 220 mg
Fat: 38 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 23 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 8 mg

Keywords: glazed pecans, sweet snack, candied nuts, easy recipe, orange, cardamom, baking, dessert, holiday, party food