Candied Pecans

from ButterYum

makes 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

• 1/2 tablespoon butter

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper or a Silpat liner and preheat the oven to 250F (yes, 250F).

2. Spread pecan halves on prepared sheet pan and toast in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

3. In a small saucepan (preferably nonstick, like this caramel pot) over medium-high heat, combine butter, sugar, water, salt, and cinnamon (use a silicone coated whisk if you have a hard time breaking up the clumps of cinnamon).

4. As soon as the sugar is completely dissolved, stop stirring and insert a candy thermometer.

5. Continue cooking, without stirring, until the temperature of the sugar syrup reaches 246F (soft ball stage).

6. Remove sugar syrup from heat and stir in vanilla, followed by the toasted pecans; toss until pecans are completely coated.

7. Pour coated pecans onto prepared sheet pan, spreading into a single layer.

8. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

9. Remove from oven and cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Note

• To check if your candy thermometer is properly calibrated, use this calculator to see what the boiling point of water is based on the elevation of your zip code (US residents). Simply plug in your zip code to get your elevation. Once you have your elevation, use the same calculator to see what temperature water will boil at that elevation. For example, according to my zip code, my elevation is about 900 feet above sea level. That means my thermometer should indicate 210F at the point water boils. If my candy thermometer indicates a difference, I would have to add or subtract that difference from my target temperature.