This is a super easy recipe I worked out a few months ago for gifting purposes, and it's been a quick-fix favorite ever since. Candied pecans + maple + more maple + a hint of spice.... is so simple, but sooooo good.
You'd normally candy nuts in a sugar mixture, but I opted to candy my pecans in a sweetener I don't use on the blog very often -- maple sugar. I've been sneakily experimenting for quite a while: testing recipes, making some interesting breakthroughs (which I'll share elsewhere another time), and ultimately just basking in the maple glory like a good Canadian....
I haven't been sharing many recipes with it though because I know maple sugar, or maple flakes aren't necessarily easily accessible enough yet, though I keep seeing more and more stores stock up on it so it gives me hope. It's such a wonderful natural sweetener with a lot of potential. If you are able to find some, I highly recommend it. I get mine at a local shop (Superstore -- in the regular baking or spice section) and it's quite affordable (more so than online).
If you absolutely can't find maple flakes or sugar in time, just use coconut sugar or coconut palm sugar. It'll be darker and stronger tasting, but still delish.
The recipe itself comes together in a snap. Just warm the mixture through on the pan to allow the sugar to caramelize. Quickly spread the nuts on a sheet of parchment and cool. Snap into bits and you're done!
I really want to pretend like I gift these all over the place, but the truth is I usually just end up eating them -- the smell of a freshly made batch is just too irresistible! And they're so addictive, once you have one it's hard not to go back for several more... But they do make a lovely gift -- I just recommend gearing up to make several batches so that there's enough to go around ;)
Maple Candied Pecans
Super easy gluten-free recipe perfect for gifting, or a sweet quick-fix. Pecans candied in maple syrup, maple sugar, or use coconut sugar. Vegan + delicious.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: just over 1 cup candied pecans
- Category: Candy
- Method: Candied
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
- Oil spray for oiling the pan lightly (I used an organic coconut oil spray) or 2 teaspoon cooking oil of choice
Candied Pecans:
- 1 cup raw pecans
- 1 cup maple flakes (maple sugar flakes) or ¾ cup maple sugar
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ginger spice (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Lightly oil a medium size non-stick frying pan.
- Add all candied pecan ingredients into the pan and stir to combine.
- Bring to a light boil on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Once the maple sugar flakes melt and the mixture begins to bubble, simmer for approx 10 minutes more, continuing to stir occasionally.
- While mixture is simmering, prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Once done cooking, remove from heat and immediately scoop it out onto the lined tray. Then immediately spread the nuts out with a wooden spoon. (note: you have to do the transfer and spreading of the nuts quickly, or else they'll begin to harden in the pan and will be difficult to extract.
- Allow the nuts to rest and cool for at least 30 mins, until the candied coating sets and becomes firm to the touch. Then snap the nuts into pieces, or break into individual units and enjoy! Store in an airtight container at room temp.
Susan says
The pecans look divine! Thanks for sharing this and all the recipes you share! You are so generous, Audrey! Merry Christmas! And may the New Year bring you overflowing abundance!
Audrey says
Thank you so much, Susan! Merry Christmas to you as well :)
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
When they are linked together in a little sticky sweet nutty chain like that you know you are doing something deliciously right :) Maple sugar is right on the list with date sugar for me--sweeteners that I keep almost splurging on and then talk myself out of every time I go to the health food store haha. I just gotta do it! Merry Christmas to myself, here's a bag of maple sugar :D These look so very scrumptious!
Audrey says
Haha. I know what you mean. I think a lot of it is perception though. I thought it was expensive, but then I compared with some of the other baking things I get and realized I'm totally living in my head here and it's ok, it's a treat. P.S. So funny, that chain linky photo is actually not a good photo (imo) but I just had to include it because it made me so happy when they turned out like that ? Oh the things that make one happy sometimes ... :D
Shannon says
I *love* maple-candied pecans! I do mine with coconut oil, though - I'm impressed you were able to make them basically oil-free but still with what looks like a perfect texture. The photos are super tempting.
Audrey says
Thanks Shannon. How much oil do you normally use for yours? I wasn't working off a recipe for mine, just made it up as I went along, and only used the oil spray just to lightly coat the pan and found it worked well. Curious now what difference more oil would make... :)