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Just-Right Cocktail Pecans

Source of Recipe


From "Southern Appetizers" by Denise Gee



List of Ingredients



• 1½ pounds pecan halves
  
• ½ cup unsalted butter
  
• 2 Tbsp brown or granulated sugar, plus more if needed
  
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
  
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  
• Salt
  






Instructions



1. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Place the pecan halves in a medium bowl.
   
   In a small sauté pan over low heat, melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, ¼ teaspoon of the cayenne, and 1 teaspoon salt. Once the sugar is dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes, remove the mixture from the heat. Pour the mixture over the pecans and use a rubber spatula to gently combine and evenly coat the pecans.
   
   
2. Spread the seasoned pecans evenly on a large rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, shaking to even out the pecans on the pan before returning them to the oven. When the pecans are done they will be a dark golden brown and very aromatic.
   
   
3. After removing the pecans from the oven, sprinkle the remaining ¼ teaspoon cayenne atop them and add more salt and sugar, if desired. Cool the seasoned pecans on a paper towel-lined pan. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature or up to 1 month in the freezer.
   
   Serves 12, about ½ cup each