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Sweet, Salty, Spicy Pecans

Source of Recipe

From "Once Upon A Chef" by Jennifer Segal


Recipe Introduction

"These nuts are madly addictive. They're perfect to serve with cocktails, toss over salads, or just keep around the house over the holidays. They also make a delicious homemade gift. The best part? You only need four simple ingredients to make them—and, if you start right now, you'll be done in 15 minutes."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ ½ cup confectioners' sugar
â—¦ ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
â—¦ ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
â—¦ 2 cups whole pecans


Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350° F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a rimmed 13-by-18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, salt, and cayenne.

Add the pecans to the sugar mixture, along with 4 teaspoons of water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved into a sticky glaze and all the nuts are evenly coated. (If the mixture is still too powdery after stirring for a while, it's okay to add a few more drops of water—just don't add too much.)

Transfer the pecans to the prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Scrape every last bit of glaze from the bowl and drizzle over the nuts. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pecans are crusty on top and caramelized and golden on the bottom. Immediately slide the parchment off of the hot baking sheet and allow the pecans to cool completely on the countertop.

Once cool, remove the pecans from the parchment, breaking apart any clusters if necessary, and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. (Do not freeze.)

Makes 2 cups