I always have some sweet nuts to serve guests during the holidays. They often are on a cookie table with other sweets or maybe bagged as gifts. Many nuts are wonderful lightly seasoned and/or sweetened. See three favorites at the bottom of this post. I see cashews in my future, another post from a fellow blogger.
This delightful recipe from Ben at https://www.havocinthekitchen.com/candied-pecans-easy-stovetop-recipe/ will surely become a favorite. I mean who doesn’t like dulce de leche drizzled over ice cream, fruit or cookies or heck I love it by the spoonful right out of the can! You will really enjoy these pecans covered in this scrumptious spread similar to caramel.
Dulce de Leche Candied Pecans
Recipe from Ben/ Havocinthekitchen, Adapted by Judi Graber
- 3-1/2 cups pecan halves
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
- 2/3 cup thick dulce de leche (Nestle’s La Lechera from Chile)
- large pinch of salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Add the pecans to a heavy bottom pan and toast them over medium-low heat, tossing occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes, until fragrant and lightly toasted.
Add 3 tbsp. of the butter to the pecans and let it melt, tossing to coat all of the nuts. Add the dulce de leche and a pinch of salt. Let it melt for about 1 minute.
Increase heat to medium and cook the nuts, stirring constantly with a spatula, until the caramel thickens for about 4 to 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the caramel mixture as it could start to stick, adjust heat if necessary.
Stir in the vanilla and remaining 1 tbsp. butter, cook for another minute or two.
Remove the nuts to a parchment lined 1/2 sheet pan, separate and spread them into a thin layer. Let the nuts cool until set. The pecans are quite sticky so I let them sit at room temperature all afternoon to firm up. I also changed the parchment paper and separated the halves quite a bit.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Very festive. Now, can I have a handful of nuts?!?! 😜
Sorry – all gone 🙂
🤣🤣🤣
sounds delicious! happy new year!
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
They were too good Sherry – Happy New Year!!!
Delicious!!! Happy New Year!
They were more than delicious – melts in your mouth… Happy New Year!
The combination of pecans and dulce de leche sounds amazing. Thanks for the reminder of more tasty recipes! 🙂
When I want nuts that are more decadent these will be my choice. I really need to update some pictures especially 🙂
Thank you so much for the shoutout, Judi – I truly appreciate it. I’m really happy you tried this idea and delighted that you enjoyed it. It means a lot!
You’re welcome Ben! These nuts are really, really good and I’m sure will appear every year as part of the celebration. I plan to make your maple flavored nuts too – maybe next year 🙂