Candied Pecans + Fun DIY Activity

These candied pecans are the greatest addition to any salad, snack or gift!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And many people will be looking for easy affordable gifting options! Candied Pecans make for a wonderful DIY gift and your recipients will be asking for another batch! Trust me.

Ingredients:

• 32 oz. Pecan halves
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 egg whites

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250°F
2. In a medium sized mixing bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and pepper.
3. Crack egg whites into a large mixing bowl. Whisk the eggs until frothy and bubbly. Add the pecans to the frothy egg whites and combine well to make sure each pecan is coated in the egg white.
4. Add the brown sugar mix to the pecans and mix well again to make sure each pecan gets coated.
5. Line a baking sheet, I usually use 2, with aluminum foil. Use a little nonstick spray. Distribute the pecans between the baking sheets. Make sure the pecans are in a single layer.
6. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and then remove the baking sheets from the oven to give the pecans a good toss. Bake for another 15 minutes and toss again. Bake for another 15 minutes and toss again. My pecans are usually done at this point! If you feel like your pecans need more time bake for 5 minute intervals.
7. Allow pecans to cool completely before eating and storing away!

DIY Activity Materials:

• Cellophane treat bags with ties
• Valentine’s Day themed stickers
• Candied Pecans

DIY Activity Directions:

1. Determine how many recipients you’ll be gifting to so you know how many treat bags to make.
2. Decorate the cellophane bags with Valentine’s Day stickers.
3. Portion out candied pecans so everyone gets the same amount and sort them into decorated bags.
4. Twist bags and secure with ties
5. You’re all done and ready to gift!

Notes:

• Each oven is different so please keep a close eye on your pecans to ensure nothing burns!
• You could easily buy Valentine’s day themed cellophane bags so you wouldn’t have to decorate them!
• If you’re looking to gift to a large amount of people and want to keep costs down, adding honey roasted peanuts to the treat bags is a great way to do so!
• These are the Pecans I used!