The Easiest Maple-Cinnamon Glazed Pecans: Your Go-To Sweet and Savory Snack Recipe
Simple and incredibly delicious, these glazed pecans are not only super easy to make but also packed with an abundance of warm, rich flavor. Don’t let their straightforward preparation fool you – these delightful treats, crafted from just a handful of pantry staples, promise a taste experience that’s anything but ordinary. Whether you’re looking to elevate your next grazing board, offer a sophisticated snack to dinner guests, or create a heartwarming, homemade holiday gift, these maple-cinnamon glazed pecans are an absolute winner. I can confidently say that once you try them, you’ll find it impossible to stop at just one!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Glazed Pecan Recipe
- While there are countless delightful variations of glazed pecans, this particular recipe truly shines with its **perfectly balanced sweetness**. The glaze, made with brown sugar and real maple syrup, creates an irresistible coating. What makes it truly special is how beautifully this sweetness is complemented by the earthy depth of the pecans themselves and the aromatic warmth of ground cinnamon. A touch of salt is added to round out the flavors, creating a harmonious blend that’s both comforting and exciting.
- Seriously, making these glazed pecans **could not be any easier!** This recipe is designed for simplicity, requiring minimal effort and common ingredients. You won’t need any complex techniques or fancy equipment, making it approachable for even novice cooks. In fact, if you’re in a pinch, you could even adapt certain steps for the microwave, though our stove-top method ensures the best texture and flavor. It’s a quick and rewarding project that yields impressive results every time.
- **Incredibly Versatile:** These glazed pecans aren’t just a snack; they’re a versatile ingredient. Use them to add a delightful crunch to salads, sprinkle them over oatmeal or yogurt for a gourmet breakfast, or incorporate them into your favorite dessert recipes. Their sweet and nutty profile makes them suitable for almost any culinary creation.
- **Perfect for Holidays & Gifting:** During the festive season, these glazed pecans become an absolute showstopper. Their warm, inviting aroma and rich flavor make them ideal for holiday gatherings. Packaged in a decorative jar or cellophane bag, they transform into a thoughtful, homemade gift that friends, family, and neighbors will adore.
Glazed Pecans vs. Candied Pecans – What’s the Delicious Difference?
While the terms “glazed pecans” and “candied pecans” are often used interchangeably, there’s actually a distinct difference in their preparation and resulting texture!
Candied pecans typically feature a coating made from a mixture of egg whites and sugar. The egg whites help create a thicker, often more opaque and crackly coating that adheres firmly to the nuts. This method often results in a more pronounced “candy-like” shell.
Glazed pecans, on the other hand, skip the egg whites. Instead, they rely on a simpler mixture of sugar, butter, and a liquid sweetener (in this delightful recipe, that’s pure maple syrup). This technique generally yields a thinner, more subtle, yet equally delicious, glossy coating that lets the natural flavor of the pecan shine through. The glaze crisps up beautifully, offering a delicate crunch without being overly hard or thick. Our maple-cinnamon glazed pecans embody this classic, butter-and-sugar glazing method for a perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness.
Expert Tips for Perfect Glazed Pecans Every Time
- Always use unsalted butter for the glaze. This seemingly small detail offers a significant advantage: it allows you to precisely control the sodium content and the overall flavor balance of your pecans. Different brands of salted butter can vary widely in saltiness, making it hard to achieve a consistent result. By starting with unsalted butter, you can add salt to taste, ensuring that perfect sweet-and-salty harmony that makes these glazed pecans so addictive.
- It’s crucial to wait to add the pecans to the skillet until the glaze is visibly hot and bubbling vigorously. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a vital step for achieving that perfectly crisp, non-sticky coating. If you add the pecans too early, before the sugar mixture reaches the right temperature and consistency, the glaze won’t properly crisp up when cooled. Instead, you’ll be left with sticky, chewy, or even soggy pecans that don’t have that satisfying snap. The bubbling indicates the sugar is dissolving and thickening correctly, ready to adhere beautifully to each pecan half.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this recipe truly your own. This recipe is incredibly adaptable!
- **Nut Swaps:** While pecans are fantastic, feel free to substitute them with other nuts like glazed cashews, walnuts, or even almonds for a different flavor and texture profile.
- **Spice It Up:** Instead of ground cinnamon, explore other warm spice blends. Try an apple pie spice blend for a fruity hint, or a pumpkin pie spice blend for an autumnal touch. For a little heat, sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few crushed red pepper flakes – the sweet and spicy combination is surprisingly delicious!
- **Sweetener Variations:** For a less-sweet glaze, you can replace a portion of the maple syrup with water. You could also experiment with other liquid sweeteners like honey or agave nectar, adjusting quantities to taste.
- **Flavor Boosts:** A tiny dash of vanilla extract added at the end of the glaze cooking process can enhance the overall sweetness and aroma.
More Delicious Recipes to Explore
- Buttery Toasted Pecans
- Blistered Shishito Peppers with Lemon-Garlic Aioli
- Stuffed Artichokes
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
- Taylor Swift Chai Cookies
- Whole30 Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans (Paleo)
- Crispy Kale Chips with Honey-Lemon Drizzle
- Bacon Wrapped Dates
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Glazed Pecans
Cheryl Malik
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 packed tablespoons dark brown sugar
- salt 1 pinch up to 1 teaspoon, to taste
- 2 cups raw pecan halves
Equipment
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Oven
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large baking sheet
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Parchment paper
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medium skillet
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whisk
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Silicone spatula
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (175°C). Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, then set it aside. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
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Place a medium-sized skillet on your stovetop over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the skillet and allow it to melt completely. Swirl and tilt the pan as needed to ensure the butter evenly coats the entire surface.
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Once the butter has fully melted, carefully add the 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, 2 packed tablespoons of dark brown sugar, and salt (to taste) to the skillet. Whisk continuously until all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking the glaze over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture becomes bubbly and slightly thickened. This ensures proper caramelization and adhesion.
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When the glaze is actively bubbling, add the 2 cups of raw pecan halves to the skillet. Cook the pecans for approximately 3 minutes, stirring or tossing them constantly to ensure each pecan is evenly coated in the warm, cinnamon-infused glaze.
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Once the pecans are thoroughly coated in the cinnamon glaze, transfer them promptly to the prepared baking sheet. Spread the glazed pecans out over the parchment paper in a single, even layer to prevent them from clumping together. Then, place the baking sheet into your preheated oven.
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Bake the pecans for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they become wonderfully fragrant and achieve a beautiful golden brown color. It’s important to check the pecans frequently during this stage to prevent them from burning, as they can go from perfectly toasted to overdone very quickly.
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When the pecans are ready, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it aside on a wire rack to cool. Allow the glazed pecans to cool completely at room temperature. As they cool, the glaze will harden and become crisp. Once fully cooled, transfer the pecans to a serving bowl or an airtight storage container and serve as desired. Enjoy your perfectly crunchy and flavorful treat!
Notes
- Make it Vegan: To easily adapt this recipe for a vegan diet, simply replace the unsalted butter with an equal amount of refined coconut oil. Refined coconut oil has a neutral flavor that won’t interfere with the delicious maple and cinnamon notes.
- Storage: Leftover glazed pecans will stay fresh and crunchy when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. They typically keep well for up to 1 week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reviving Crunch: If your pecans lose some of their crispness over time, simply spread them on a baking sheet and toast them in a 250°F (120°C) oven for 5-10 minutes until they’re crunchy again. Let them cool completely before serving.
Nutrition Information
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.