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Sugared Pecans

Filed Under: Dessert Recipes, Fall & Winter, Party Food Ideas, Snack, Spring & Summer, Vegetarian Recipes

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sugared pecans served in a small black bowl

This is the easiest recipe for Sugared Pecans! Just 4 simple ingredients: pecans, egg whites, sugar and salt. Raw pecan halves are tossed in a frothy meringue and baked in a low oven until perfectly crisp and delicious. So versatile! Perfect for snacking (look out, they’re addictive!), or for topping salads and desserts or packaged up as an edible gift.

Sugared Pecans served in a black bowl

I paid $8 for my first handful of sugar coated pecans. They were called “Mashuga Nuts” and it was a moment of weakness I admit, but the odds were against me: it was too late to leave the hotel room; the movie was great; the sweet cravings were unbearable; the minibar snack basket beckoned.

Mashuga Nuts is a brand name, but the word ‘Mashuga’ is Yiddish for ‘Crazy’. Which seems appropriate since pecans coated in snappy sugar are crazy good. Too much? Sorry.

I came home inspired to make my own version, but I never expected it to be so easy.

During the holidays, I love to make batches of these sugared nuts and package them up with an assortment of cookies (Butter Cookies, Soft Sugar Cookies, Cowboy Cookies, Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies) for neighbors and friends. Or simply pile the nuts into a little glass jar and tie with a ribbon for a perfect host / hostess gift!

Sugared Pecans in a white square bowl with tissue and ribbon

How to Make Sugared Pecans

Step 1: Whisk egg whites until frothy. Whisk in sugar and salt. Add pecans and stir to coat evenly.

whisking meringue
adding pecan halves to meringue
pecan halves coated in meringue

Step 2: Spread coated pecans in an even layer on parchment lined baking sheet.

placing meringue coated pecans onto baking sheet
spreading coated pecans into a single layer

Step 3: Bake at 250หšF for 45 minutes, gently stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside until completely cool before serving. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

stirring baked sugared pecans

Sugared Pecans Recipe Video

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Sugared Pecans served in a black bowl
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5 from 9 votes

Sugared Pecans

Sugared Pecans are easy to make and deliciously addictive! Delicious for snacking and as a sweet and crunchy topping for salads or desserts. And a perfect edible gift for the holidays!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time55 mins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 221kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 cups raw pecan halves

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 250ยฐF.
  • Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk egg whites until frothy. Whisk in sugar and salt. Add pecans and stir to coat evenly.
  • Pour coated pecans onto prepared baking sheet and spread into a single layer. 
  • Bake, stirring gently every 15 minutes, for 45 minutes total, until coating is a light golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Notes

  1. I like to use superfine sugar for this recipe, but standard granulated sugar works fine too.
  2. Makes 4 Cups or 16, 1-ounce servings

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 0.3% | Vitamin C: 0.3% | Calcium: 1.7% | Iron: 3.5%
Keywords: Christmas, easy, edible gift, quick
Tried this recipe?I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

About Marissa

The best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and thatโ€™s just what youโ€™ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, easy, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks.

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Comments

  1. Victoria E Meredith says

    December 20, 2018 at 5:56 am

    I’m diabetic and generally avoid sugar and flour. These would be super easy to make low carb just by using allulose instead of sugar! You’d have to use a bit more, as it’s not quite as sweet as regular sugar. An erythrytol blend would probably work, too, but it’d take longer for the sweetener to recrystalize. I think I just may experiment today…. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

      • Victoria E Meredith says

        December 21, 2018 at 10:58 am


        I’ve just made a full batch of sugared (for a gift) and a half batch of sugarless. The sugar-free is in the oven right now, but I have high hopes! I used 1 egg white, 1/2 c. allulose, 6 packets of Lakanto sweetener (monk fruit), 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, and 2 cups of pecans. I sneaked and tasted the “batter” before baking, and it was indistinguishable from the actual sugar one….

        Reply

  2. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says

    October 22, 2018 at 4:20 pm


    I had no idea sugared pecans could be so easy to make! You’re right, they are perfect for gifting or adding to cookie trays around the holidays. And I would most definitely sprinkle a few on my salads! Thanks for sharing Marissa!

    Reply

  3. Dorothy Dunton says

    October 19, 2018 at 7:55 pm

    Hi Marissa! My favorite nuts are pecans. I like to make spicy/sweet ones as gifts at Christmas. Now I have another recipe for gift giving, if I don’t eat them all myself! ๐Ÿ™‚ Homemade food gifts are always a welcome present!

    Reply

  4. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    October 18, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    This recipe is so dangerous, Marissa. I have a hard time controlling myself around nuts as it is, but sugared pecans!? Total weakness. I would have to gift them all right away haha! I can’t wait to try your recipe this holiday season!!

    Reply

  5. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

    October 18, 2018 at 3:27 pm


    Oh, I’ve certainly tried sugared pecans before, but I’m not familiar with this method. Covering nuts in foamy muxture which turns into a tiny meringue layer is such a delicious (and you’re right, crazy delicious) idea. I’d like to give this a try but I’m afraid that I’d gobble up the entire batch within like 2 or 3 minutes haha. Well done!

    Reply

  10. Kevin says

    October 17, 2018 at 10:01 am


    I can just smell the sweetness through your photos of these sugared pecans! YUM! Will have to try these out for the upcoming holidays!

    Reply

  11. David @ Spiced says

    October 17, 2018 at 5:36 am

    I agree with you about sugared/candied nuts! They are so surprisingly easy to make…and then they are so surprisingly easy to eat all of them, too. I have to be careful when I’ve got sugared nuts around as I just want to eat them all! For a fun twist, try including a bit of maple syrup in there. SO good!!

    Reply

    • Marissa says

      October 17, 2018 at 10:33 am

      It’s so true! I can’t stay out of them when they’re around. I literally divided the batch I made for this post and gave them away immediately for just that reason. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Great tip on the maple syrup! I’ll try that next time.

      Reply

  12. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    October 17, 2018 at 5:14 am


    What a treat! I would love to give these (or especially receive). Nice touch with the salt too – that sweet/salty combo gets me all the time! I bet I could eat this entire batch and not even bat an eyelash lol ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

  21. Shaina says

    February 13, 2014 at 8:55 am

    I love that name for these nuts! Mashuga…I’ve always used Mashugina for crazy, whatever the word is, it definitely works for a bag full of delicious flavored nuts!

    Yours sound absolutely delicious, I’ll take these for my snack any day!

    Reply

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