Pecan Recipes for Your Holiday Party

Nothing signals the holidays like the delicious union of our yearly bounty of native pecans with massive amounts of sugar. Round out your holiday gathering with these three tricks up your sleeve.

Pecan Pralines

Perfect for: holiday gifts and late-night treats

Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed soft brown sugar
½ cup evaporated milk
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups pecans (well toasted and coarsely chopped)

Method:
Line a baking sheet with nonstick baking paper and spray lightly with flavorless cooking oil. Slowly heat white and brown sugars and evaporated milk in a pan until melted and your candy thermometer reaches 240 F. Remove from the heat and add the butter. Leave to melt for 1 minute without stirring. Add vanilla and pecans and stir until just mixed. Be careful not to overstir, as the candy can quickly set rock-solid; you’re looking for a pliable mixture that holds its shape. If the candy starts to set in the pan, add a teaspoon of boiling water and stir to loosen. Working quickly with a greased spoon, take spoonfuls of the candy and shape them on the baking sheet. Leave to set at room temperature, and store in an airtight container.

Pecan Praline Caramel Sauce

Perfect for: spooning over ice cream or waffles

Ingredients:
½ cup pecans (well toasted and coarsely chopped)
1 cup packed soft brown sugar
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon sea salt

Method:
Slowly heat sugar and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed pan until melted. Bring to a rolling boil and watch closely as the color shifts from light brown to amber. It’s a quick change, so be careful to catch it before it gets too dark, or it will taste burnt. When you’ve achieved the right color, add heavy cream. It will bubble up; when it calms, remove from heat and add salt and pecans. Leave to cool for a few minutes and serve, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Sugar & Spice

Perfect for: passing around at your holiday party

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons runny honey
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon fine grain salt

Method:
Line a baking sheet with nonstick baking parchment, and preheat the oven to 240 F. Coat nuts with oil, then honey; then thoroughly coat with the dry spice mix and lay in a single layer on your baking sheet. Roast for 5 minutes and check; move around the tray to ensure none are burning; then return to the oven in 2-minute increments until toasted to your liking. Leave to cool and enjoy, or store in an airtight container for up to a month.

Enjoy your homemade treats and toast to the holidays with holiday drinks for all ages.