SWEET SPICED PECANS

Sweet Spiced Pecans image

The spicing level is fairly forgiving on these pecans, which make a wonderful gift for the holidays or party snack. You can add more cayenne for heat or a little more sugar if you want them sweeter. The key points, though, are making sure they toast well but don't burn and using really good pecans, like Elliots from Georgia, which are stubbier and sweeter than the bigger, skinnier pecans that come from Texas and other Southwestern states (though they are delicious, too.) Ordering bulk pecans online helps keep the cost down.

Provided by Kim Severson

Time 25m

Yield 6 cups

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoons black pepper
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
5 tablespoons butter, melted
6 cups pecan halves

Steps:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together everything but the nuts and butter. Add a tablespoon of butter to a large rimmed baking sheet. Add pecans, toss to coat and spread into a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes or until the nuts begin to smell toasted.
Place hot pecans in a large bowl, add remaining butter and toss to coat. Add spice mixture and toss again, then return nuts to baking pan. Toast again for four or five minutes, shaking or stirring the nuts once during baking time.
Cool completely and pack into gift jars. Can be stored for a week.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 336, UnsaturatedFat 28 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 115 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams