Great for gift giving, or save for yourself as a special treat!
I may come from a family of nuts, but we don’t really happen to be nut lovers. (Cheap joke, I know, but it’s exactly the one my mom would make in this situation and I couldn’t help myself.)
Anyway, nuts have never been a big deal in my family. In fact, some of us are even allergic to them. For the rest of us, however, pecans all but sacred.
I can’t say for sure how this particular nut came to hold such a special place in family recipes. Even before my grandparents moved south and we co-opted some Southern cuisine (key lime pie is now a summertime staple), pecans were a key ingredient. Pecan pie was always the most important dessert at Thanksgiving, butter pecan ice cream is a personal favorite, and pecan pralines are a can’t miss souvenir from our trips down south.
If you’re not from the South, you know just how hard it is to find those candied Southern delicacies elsewhere. Even in speciality shops, it can be tough to find candied nuts that compare. So now my sister and I are always sure to stock up on pralines before heading back north.
Fortunately, these slow cooker roasted sugared pecans are an easy way to capture that classic Southern treat. Whether you’re a Southerner yourself or just a fan of the food like me, this recipe is a simple way to get perfect candied pecans no matter where you are.
While making any kind of candy is often a complicated process involving craft, technique, and usually a candy thermometer, these slow cooker roasted sugared pecans couldn’t be easier.
Using this recipe, perfect candied pecans are really just a few ingredients and a crock pot away.
Just coat your pecans in melted butter, then add coconut sugar, honey, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Just cook on high for 3 hours and lay flat to cool!
Because of their delicious spices and seasonings, these candied pecans make a great seasonal treat. Whip up a batch and store in decorative holiday jars for cute, inexpensive gifts for friends and family. They also make a great addition to holiday gift baskets and bake sales.
However, don’t think these sweets are on a holidays only basis. Candied pecans really are a treat you can enjoy all year round. And they happen to be very versatile. Use them as a topping for pancakes or waffles, sprinkle over ice cream, or stir into yogurt. These sugared pecans also make a great topping for sweet potato casserole and baked yams. And of course, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t enjoy these sweets for a snack all on their own.
If you find a great use for these slow cooker sugared pecans that we haven’t thought of yet, let us know!
And if these sugared pecans have made a pecan lover out of you, you may enjoy some other classic Southern recipes. Check out this Southern Holiday Dinner Menu for more Southern-inspired holiday cuisine.
Slow Cooker Roasted Sugared Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 pound pecan halves
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Place the pecans in the slow cooker. Pour the butter over the top and stir to coat the pecans. Add remaining ingredients and stir to coat the pecans.
- Cook, on high, with the lid OFF for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- After cooking, spread in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. Cool completely. Store in a sealed container in the pantry - do not refrigerate.
Nutrition Information
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Why should these be cooked with the lid off?
Erica, The butter tends to burn with the lid on. The recipe was tried both ways and this was the best result.
Could I use maple syrup rather than coconut sugar?
Thanks
Elise, Maple sugar should work fine. 🙂