Quick & Playful Sweet and Salty Pecan Delights Recipe

Indulge in a delectable dance of flavors with these sweet and salty pecan delights that blend irresistible textures and tastes.

Rich, buttery pecans coated in a caramelized sugar glaze bring an unexpected twist to your snacking experience.

The perfect balance of sweetness and crunch makes these treats an absolute crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Each bite delivers a symphony of golden-brown pecans kissed with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt.

The recipe combines simple ingredients that create an extraordinary snack you won’t be able to resist.

Elegant yet effortless, these pecans will become your new go-to treat for satisfying those complex cravings.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to elevate your snack game with this mouthwatering recipe that promises pure culinary delight.

How to Make Sweet and Salty Pecans

• Baking Sheet Preparation

Grab a large sheet pan and line it with wax paper. Lightly coat the surface with a thin layer of butter to prevent sticking.

• Sugar Mixture Creation

Combine pecans, sugars, cream, butter, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Choose a deep container to avoid messy boil-overs.

• Heating Process

Microwave the mixture on high for 6 1/2 minutes. Pause halfway through to give everything a quick stir, ensuring even caramelization.

• Final Touches

Stir the golden-brown mixture thoroughly. If the caramel seems too liquid, pop it back in the microwave for short bursts. Add a splash of vanilla for extra depth of flavor.

• Cluster Formation

Scoop the glossy pecan mixture onto the prepared sheet, creating small, irregular clusters that look rustic and delicious.

• Salty Finish

Sprinkle a delicate pinch of sea salt over each cluster. Let them cool and set at room temperature until they reach a perfect chewy-crisp texture.

Tips for Nutty Sweet-Savory Flavor Balance

• Adjust the microwave cooking time by 30-second increments to control the darkness and depth of your caramel coating, creating a personalized sweet experience that matches your taste preferences.
• Replace pecans with almonds, walnuts, or cashews to create unique flavor profiles, transforming the recipe into a versatile treat that suits different nutty cravings.
• Melt dark or milk chocolate and carefully drizzle over cooled clusters for an extra layer of decadence, adding a rich and luxurious twist to the classic sweet and salty combination.
• Store completed clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or refrigerate for extended freshness, making them perfect for advanced preparation and convenient snacking.
• Sprinkle ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the caramel mixture to introduce warming spices that complement the sweet and salty notes, creating a more complex flavor profile.

Serving Sweet and Salty Pecans as Snacks

• Decadent Dessert Pairing: Serve these sweet and salty pecan delights alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a creamy, contrasting texture that elevates the caramel-coated pecans.
• Gift-Worthy Treats: Package these clusters in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine for a homemade, thoughtful gift that will impress friends and family during holidays or special occasions.
• Elegant Cheese Board Addition: Scatter these candied pecans among artisan cheeses, fresh fruits, and crackers to add a delightful crunch and caramel sweetness to your charcuterie spread.
• Coffee Companion Snack: Enjoy these pecan clusters with a hot espresso or rich cappuccino, letting the nutty, sweet, and salty flavors complement your afternoon coffee break.

How to Store Pecans Without Softness

• Maximize Freshness: Store sweet and salty pecan delights in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days, keeping them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Freeze for Later: Pack cooled clusters in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for 2-3 months, maintaining their delightful crunch and flavor.
• Quick Defrosting Tip: Remove frozen clusters from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying their rich, caramelized goodness.
• Prevent Moisture Buildup: Place a small piece of paper towel in the storage container to absorb any excess moisture, ensuring the pecans stay crisp and delectable.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

Sweet and Salty Pecans Ingredient Guide

• Pecan Halves: Crunchy nuts that provide rich, buttery texture and deep nutty flavor. Choose fresh, uniform-sized pecans without any discoloration or rancid smell.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and helps create sticky coating. Look for moist, clump-free sugar for smooth melting.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create glossy caramel structure. Select fine-grain sugar for even dissolving.

• Heavy Cream: Creates silky smooth caramel texture and prevents crystallization. Select high-fat content cream for best results.
• Butter: Enhances richness and helps bind ingredients together. Use unsalted butter for better flavor control.

• Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and adds sophisticated flavor complexity. Choose flaky sea salt for delicate finishing touch.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic background note. Use pure vanilla extract for most authentic flavor profile.

Kitchen Tools for Sweet & Salty Pecan Treats

• Microwave-safe bowl: Deep, medium-sized for safe mixing and preventing overflow.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for sugar, cream, and salt quantities.
• Cookie scoop or tablespoons: Perfect for creating uniform pecan clusters.
• Large sheet pan: For cooling and setting the sweet treats.
• Wax paper or silicone baking mat: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix and stir the caramel mixture.
• Cooling rack (optional): Provides additional air circulation for setting.

Crunchy Pecan Delights Recipe

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• Total Time: 17 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade sweet and salty pecan delights deliver luxurious flavor combinations from Southern baking traditions. Crunchy pecans glazed with caramelized sugar offer irresistible dessert experience for hungry guests.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) pecan halves
• ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 3 tbsps (42 g) butter
• ¼ tsp coarse sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 tsp pure vanilla or rum extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Line a large sheet pan with wax paper and lightly grease with cooking spray or softened butter to prevent sticking.
2. Caramel Mixture: In a deep, microwave-safe bowl, combine pecan halves, brown sugar, granulated sugar, heavy cream, butter, and sea salt. Mix thoroughly to create an even caramel base.
3. Microwaving: Heat the mixture on high power for 6 1/2 minutes, pausing at the 3-minute mark to stir and prevent burning. Ensure uniform caramelization by stirring carefully.
4. Consistency Check: After microwaving, vigorously stir the caramel to coat pecans evenly. If the mixture appears too liquid, return to the microwave for 1-minute intervals, monitoring closely.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Gently stir vanilla extract into the warm caramel mixture, distributing the flavor throughout the pecan clusters.
6. Forming Clusters: Using a small cookie scoop or two tablespoons, drop individual pecan clusters onto the prepared wax paper, maintaining consistent sizing.
7. Finishing Touch: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over each caramel pecan cluster to elevate the flavor profile.
8. Cooling and Setting: Allow clusters to cool at room temperature for 30-45 minutes until the caramel becomes firm to the touch.

Notes

• Prevent Burning: Stir the caramel mixture every 3 minutes during microwaving to ensure even heating and avoid scorching the sugar and pecans.
• Achieve Perfect Consistency: If the caramel seems too runny, microwave in additional 1-minute intervals, watching carefully to reach the ideal thickness for coating.
• Uniform Coating Technique: Vigorously stir the caramel after microwaving to guarantee every pecan is completely and evenly covered with the sweet mixture.
• Salt Finishing Touch: Sprinkle a delicate pinch of sea salt on top of each cluster to elevate the flavor profile and create a delightful sweet-salty balance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Microwave, Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg