Looking for a lovely gift to give friends and family during the holidays, the Crunchy Toffeed Pecans will be the answer.
The Toffeed Pecans are also great as a snack; top on your favorite cakes, as a topping for ice creams, and garnishing creme brulees.
The pecans are a bit tricky to make but worth every effort it takes to make these delicious, yummy morsels. The recipe makes more than you need, which is nice to have extra when you need something in a pinch.
The Crunchy Toffeed Pecans are a variation of caramel, but the difference is that you will be stirring this recipe a lot. So get ready to stir or have a friend/family member help get all the stirring done.
Start the pecans by adding the butter to a saucepan until melted. Next, add the sugar and salt and stir until melted. Now it’s time to add the pecans and begin constantly stirring until the sugar caramelizes. It’s also time to pay attention!
It will take anywhere from 5 minutes to 10 minutes, depending on the heat and the sugar. The times necessary to caramelize the sugar vary depending on your sugar quality and the exact heat you cook.
Make sure the sugar is granulated, refined, and is pure cane. It’s important not to buy a cheaper version – the sugar is not the same, I know from experience.
Caution, if you start seeing or smelling any smoke, take the pecans off the heat immediately. I like to get close and smell the process. You want to smell and see a deep amber color, but not black.
Enjoy and Happy Holidays from my kitchen to yours! Always, Laurie
Crunchy Toffeed Pecans
Ingredients
- 1/2 Lb. plus 2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
- 1 3/4 Cups plus 2 Tbsp. Sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Salt
- 3 1/2 Cups Pecan Halves
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until melted. Add the sugar and salt and stir briskly until the mixture comes together. Add the nuts and cook, stirring the nuts evenly and constantly until the sugar caramelizes and coats the nuts, about 5 to 10 minutes. Constantly adjust the heat if bubbly too much or not enough.
- When the sugar has turned a beautiful oak brown, carefully pour the hot mass onto the prepared sheet and quickly separate the nuts with forks or tongs. When the nuts are cooled completely, transfer to an airtight container and store for 3 to 5 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.
Looking for more Holiday treats? These Christmas Brown Sugar Cookies are easy to make! With an added cherry on the top. These cookies oh so festive!