This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Jump to Recipe- Print Recipe
This Kahlua Sugared Pecans Recipe is easy to make with only five ingredients and taste so much better than the store bought kind! They’re perfect for a sweet snack or to give as holiday food gifts.
Why This Recipe Works
What isit about sugared nuts that are so good? For me, it’s the sweet candy-likecoating with a crunchy nut.
Nuts aregood for you so that should make these good for you too, right? Let’s all justagree and move on, ok?
I’ve beenmaking these sugared pecans for so long, I’m don’t even remember where I firstcame upon them. I think it was in an online cooking forum somewhere. Turns outit’s a recipe from the Stop and Smell the Rosemary cookbook. I’ve adapted therecipe a bit over the years and am still making them each year after all thistime.
These Gourmet Kahlua SugaredPecans are a staple in my gift giving repertoire and are always a BIG hitwith everyone I give them too. Like, can’t stop eating them in one sitting kindof hit.
Warning: they are addictive. If you’replanning to make them for giving away as gifts, you might want to make themwhen your family is not home or ban them from the kitchen, so they don’t eattoo many first-ha!
I love to make these in big batchesand wrap them up and give them as gifts to teachers, neighbors friends or as hostessgifts.
In just a little more than 30minutes I can have a lot of my homemade gift giving treats ready and done.
They’re always very popular and most everyone will tell me they love them! No matter what you call them, sugared pecans or candied pecans, they are super simple and taste delicious!
What Ingredients are needed for this KahluaSugared Pecans Recipe?
Egg whites – See my tip below on how I separate the eggs.
Kahlua liqueur – This is found at a liquor store. I recently discovered they have different flavors but I just use the traditional Kahlua which has a slight coffee flavor. Don’t worry, the alcohol bakes off so that all you’re left with is the flavoring.
Sugar – I usually buy the store brand to save a bit of money.
Salt – Regular table salt is what I use. Other types like sea salt or Kosher are usually too coarse to use in baking recipes.
Shelled Pecan Halves – I purchase these in bulk at Sam’s Club or Costco. A pecan half means that they are not already chopped up and are the half of a whole cracked nut.
The smallerbags sold in the grocery store are SO much more expensive per ounce. Thisrecipe uses up the 2-pound bag I buy but whenever I do have leftovers, I justput them in a freezer safe zip-top bag and store for up to a year!
How to Make Kahlua Sugared Pecans
Over the years I’ve tweaked therecipe just a bit so I’m sharing it again with all of you all and with someupdated pictures too (the first one was SO tiny and not so great).
Kahlua has been my go-to liqueur ofchoice and has become the most popular. I’m not sure if that’s hint of coffeewith the sugar or what but it’s a winning combination!
To separate the eggs, I willsometimes use the egg shell transfer method but very often I can’t get thatjust right. So I prefer to use a egg separator spoon like this one. Makes lifeso much easier!
I’ve included pictures to show you the progression of how these sugar coated pecans bake in the oven. At first it will seem like there is too much liquid.
Be sure to stir between every 10 minutes (as instructed in recipe). Then, the sugary mixture will start to get foamy and it seems like it is falling off the pecans. Don’t worry—it’s ok!
Once you have finished the final 10 minutes, transfer to a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or another pan with a silicone baking mat. Allow about an hour for them to fully cool.
You will notice that as they cool,the sugary coating will start to crystalize. This is totally normal!
Once the sugar roasted pecans arefully cooled, you may need to break them up into smaller pieces.
Is this Kahlua Sugared Pecans Recipe Make Ahead?
Yes! These store wonderfully so areperfect for making ahead. Like I’ve said, I like to make a big batch all atonce so that I can divide them up into gift bags for gifts.
Store at room temperature for up toa week (if they last that long!)
You Can Also Freeze Sugared Pecans
You can store these Gourmet KahluaSugared Pecans in an airtight freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Label andfreeze for up to six months in the freezer.
Just bring out what you want or needfor the occasion and let them come to room temperature before serving, about 20-30minutes.
Other Easy Food Gifts and Nut Recipes
I often pair a festive bag of these pecans with a gift card to Starbucks for those on my gift giving list that like that and it is a quick and easy way to give a gift with a personal touch.
Be sure to check out this recipe for or Spicy Cocoa Almonds for other easy to make gourmet nut recipes. Or for other homemade food gifts ideas, I’ve gathered up a bunch from other bloggers on this Food Gifts Ideas Roundup Post.
This postoriginally appeared here in October 2011. It was updated December 2014 with newphotos and then again in December 2019 with new photos and more content and recipeupdates.
Easy Gourmet Kahlua Sugared Pecans
This Kahlua Sugared Pecans Recipe is easy to make with only five ingredients and taste so much better than the store bought kind! They're perfect for a sweet snack or to give as holiday food gifts.
No ratings yet
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 466kcal
Author: Brenda Thompson
Ingredients
- 2 large egg whites
- ½ cup Kahlua liqueur
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 cups pecan halves shelled
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Prepare a large jelly roll pan by lining it with tin foil and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the sugar and salt in a bowl and set aside.
In a separate, large bowl, combine the egg white and the liqueur stirring well with a whisk until mixture is slightly foamy.
Add the pecans, and stir well.
Add sugar and salt mixture to large bowl and stir all ingredients well to coat evenly.
Spread mixture onto prepared jelly roll pan in a single layer.
Bake at 325°F for 25-30 minutes or until pecans are lightly toasted and browned, stirring every 10 minutes.
It will look like the coating is coming off (but it's not).
Stir from the outside in to keep pecans on the edges from burning, and watch closely since sugar burns easily.
While pecans are baking, line a separate baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or wax paper and set aside.
Once pecans are done, remove from oven, transfer them IMMEDIATELY to wax paper or a silicone baking mat to cool.
Pecans keep for two weeks in an airtight container or in freezer up to three months.
Notes
Is this Kahlua Sugared Pecans Recipe Make Ahead?
Yes! These store wonderfully so are perfect for making ahead. Like I’ve said, I like to make a big batch all at once so that I can divide them up into gift bags for gifts.
Store at room temperature for up to a week (if they last that long!)
You Can Also Freeze Sugared Pecans
You can store these Gourmet Kahlua Sugared Pecans in an airtight freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Label and freeze for up to six months in the freezer.
Just bring out what you want or need for the occasion and let them come to room temperature before serving, about 20-30 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @MealPlanMom or tag #MealPlanningMagic!
This post originally appeared here in October 2011. It was updated December 2014 with new photos and again in December 2019 with new photos, more information and an updated recipe.
Be sure to check out my Amazon Shop to discover the many items I use in my own kitchen. Meal Planning Magic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. Ordering products mentioned here are at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.
