Nuts to You! – Iced Pecans

Our “chum”, Sally from Texas,  shared this recipe with us that she found in a 1960’s copy of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine.These would be great as a snack by themselves or in a salad. They would be perfect at the holidays or anytime as a hostess gift. You could also use any kind of nut you like, though we think pecans are so yummy.  Try this recipe soon.  We think you’ll love it!

Sally writes to us:

“I found this recipe for ICED PECANS in an old Better Homes and Gardens magazine from the 60’s. That’s as old as me! Each pecan half is coated (“iced”) with a thin coating or crust of candied sugar that reminds me of Louisiana pralines. Oh, so good! These are a wonderful holiday treat but I make them throughout the year as well! I usually make many batches to give as gifts. They’re done in less than 10 minutes once you’ve got all your ingredients together.”

ICED PECANS

3 cups pecan halves

1 cup white granulated sugar

Small pinch of salt

8 Tbsp. butter  (1 stick)

1 tsp. vanilla

Line a baking sheet with foil. Lightly spray with cooking spray, and set aside.

In a heavy skillet, use a wooden spoon to combine pecans, sugar, pinch of salt and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 9 minutes. Sugar will melt and turn a rich brown color. Watch out for spatters.

Remove from heat and immediately stir in vanilla extract. The vanilla extract being stirred into the hot pecan mixture will make your kitchen smell delicious! Be careful – the pan will be very hot.

Spread mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and VERY LIGHTLY sprinkle with salt right away while they’re still hot (optional). This tiny touch of salt balances out the sweet, buttery, vanilla flavor. Using 2 forks, separate pecans quickly before they cool and stick together; allow to cool completely.

Stored tightly covered, they will keep for a week or two. They don’t last that long at my house! They’re so good, you may need to reserve (“hide”) a few for yourself!”

Thank you, Sally, for sharing:-)

P.S. These Iced Pecans are a very sweet treat.  Another “sweet treat” is my precious daughter, Carrie, whose birthday is today.  She has been a delight from the very first moment she entered our lives and is every bit as sweet and as much a delight to all who know her as she was that happy day 34 years ago.  Happy Birthday Doodle!