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Posted on  - Last updated: Categories Appetizers, Holidays, Hostess Gifts, Snacks, This & That

By: Author Kathleen Pope

Maple Bourbon Candied Pecans

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Candied pecans are amazing and these no refined sugar Maple Bourbon Pecans are even better! Sweet maple syrup, smoky bourbon, rich cinnamon, and a little spicy heat makes these roasted pecans outrageously addictive! A delicious sweet-salty mix.

When I make candied bourbon pecans, the entire house smells like fall! Cinnamon, maple and buttery, bourbon glazed roasted pecans! I could have eaten the whole batch! They are delicious as toppings on ice cream, oatmeal, pancakes, salad, food gifts and more

If you love maple & bourbon, then you might try these fabulous recipes; Maple Bourbon Sour, Maple Pumpkin Scones, Bourbon Caramel Sauce.

Small wire fry basket lined with parchment paper, holding maple bourbon pecans with wooden spoon, maple syrup and bourbon jars in background.

With the Kentucky Derby coming up, I’ve joined other talented bloggers making bourbon inspired recipes! A bowl of bourbon pecans to nosh on while cheering on your favorite horse would be perfect!

I developed this recipe as part of a Kentucky Derby Party Bourbon inspired recipe collaboration! Check out ALL of the great recipes here!

Speaking of Derby food, you might try this delicious Mint Julep or Blackberry Bourbon Moscow Mule and for dessert, the one and only Kentucky Butter Cake!!

Left to right, ingredient image for Maple Bourbon Pecans. Salt, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, butter, bourbon, maple syrup and pecans, on wood with neutral colored napkin and bottles of maple syrup and bourbon in background.

Ingredients for Bourbon Pecans

  • Raw Pecan Halves | the star of the recipe (psst, try other nuts too or mixed nuts!!)
  • Real Maple syrup | I used bourbon barrel aged maple syrup, if you haven’t tried it, it is fabulous! Pure maple syrup is fine, but if you can find bourbon barrel aged, it’s so worth it. I purchase mine at a farmer’s market in Vail each year, but have also found seasonally at Trader Joe’s.
  • Butter or Olive Oil | I used butter, because it’s only a tablespoon!
  • Bourbon | Any bourbon of your choice, if you prefer not to use bourbon, may I suggest using a good vanilla extract or Bourbon Vanilla extract.
  • Kosher Salt | adds salty balance to the sweet and enhances the flavors.
  • Ground Cinnamon | Use a good quality cinnamon, this one is my favorite.
  • Cayenne Pepper | Adjust your heat up or down depending on your taste!
  • Small liquid measuring cup ¼ cup of maple syrup, pouring into glass mixing bowl
    Maple Syrup
  • bourbon in small turquoise and white bowl pouring into mixing bowl for bourbon pecan nuts
    Bourbon (or vanilla)
  • Hand pouring small white bowl with melted butter into glass mixing bowl
    Melted Butter
  • small wooden bowl with kosher salt going glass mixing bowl with whisk in background
    Kosher Salt
  • small white bowl with ground cinnamon poured into glass mixing bowl with whisk
    Cinnamon
  • small wooden bowl with cayenne pepper going into mixing bowl with whisk in background
    Cayenne Pepper
  • Looking down into glass mixing bowl with all ingredients for maple bourbon pecans whisking in
    Mix well
  • Pouring raw pecans into glass mixing bowl on top of liquid maple bourbon and spice mixture.
    Add raw pecans

What is Bourbon Maple Syrup

Barrel aged Bourbon maple syrup is simply maple syrup that has been aged a bit in barrels that formerly were used to age, well bourbon.

It is not an alcoholic syrup, but certainly takes on the flavors, taste and nuances of the bourbon that was aged in that barrel.

It’s amazing! Use it in drinks, a drizzle over glazed carrots or Brussels, in a brown butter glaze — the sky’s the limit!

pouring pecan halves onto parchment lined baking sheet that have been mixed with slurry

Are Candied Pecans the Same as Praline Pecans?

Pralines originated in France, but the European version differs somewhat from the one in the United States.

The original French confection featured almonds instead of pecans. When French settlers moved to the southern U.S., they found few almonds but plenty of pecan trees.

They substituted pecans in their recipe while adding cream to thicken the mixture, resulting in a fudge-like candy. (Source)

spreading wet pecans in even layer using spatula on parchment lined baking sheet.

What Are Praline Pecans?

While pecan pralines are more of a candy or confection, praline pecans give you all the deliciousness of pecan pralines, without the additional ingredients.

Typically praline pecans usually use brown sugar, which is why they are sometimes called sugar pecans.

These are slightly different because we don’t use refined sugar in this recipe, instead our sweetness comes from pure maple syrup.

close-up shot of raw pecan halves in small bowl, with maple syrup and bourbon in background.

How Do I make Spicy Candied Pecans?

This recipe uses an oven vs. stovetop, nothing wrong with stovetop glazed pecans, but I love the enhanced flavor you get from slow roasting these in the oven; leaving them shiny, crunchy, and perfectly glazed.

  1. Start by simply placing all ingredients (except pecans) in a medium to large bowl, whisk to mix.
  2. Add pecans and stir to coat the nuts evenly with the liquid and spice mixture.
  3. Pour onto parchment lined baking sheet and spread evenly in one layer, the maple bourbon slurry might puddle, but don’t worry.
  4. Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 10 minutes, then stirring every 5 minutes until the liquid is gone for a total of about 25 minutes.
close up shot of maple bourbon candied pecans in glass bowl with red and white striped tea towel in background

WAYS TO USE BOURBON GLAZED PECANS

  • Oats | Chopped or whole mixed into oatmeal, either hot or cold overnight oats or muesli!
  • Add to a yogurt parfait the the best, best, best tasting yogurt ever!
  • Make a speciality granola as food gifts!
  • Chopped and sprinkled on top of pancakes or waffles.
  • ICE CREAM| My personal favorite! Make everyday ice cream into an elegant dessert by pouring bourbon salted caramel sauce over vanilla ice cream, topping with chopped praline pecans. Swooning over here!
  • Sprinkle on top of cakes, pies, muffins and more.
  • Salads | Add to any salad and elevate the crunch and taste factor x 10! These would be my favorite salads to add to, Sweet Maple Apple and Harvest Apple Salad.
  • Food Gifts | Make up a couple of batches and give as food gifts to friends, these pecans are perfect for snacking by the handful too! (See below for all sorts of great food gift ideas!)

Print Out These Cute Free Christmas Gift Tags to go with your gift!

4 different designs of we're nuts about you gift tags.
cello bag filled with maple bourbon pecans tied with twine with a wooden tag handwritten Bourbon Maple Pecans sitting on sliced wood piece with red syrup jar and wooden tablespoon in background.

How will you use these delicious roasted cinnamon pecans? Pop a comment below the recipe!

PIN this recipe to your favorite Snacks & Nuts board!

Pinterest Image with spilled white bowl of candied pecans and text overlay stating Not Your Ordinary Candied Pecans, Maple Bourbon!

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Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️star rating in the recipe below!

small white bowl tipped, with maple bourbon pecans spilling out onto piece of parchment on wooden cutting board
Yield: 3 cups

Maple Bourbon Pecans

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Candied pecans are amazing and these no refined sugar Maple Bourbon Pecans are even better! Sweet maple syrup, smoky bourbon, rich cinnamon, a little spicy heat makes these pecans outrageously addictive! A delicious sweet-salty mix.

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Pour all ingredients (except pecans) in a medium to large bowl, whisk to mix.

Pour in the pecans and stir to coat the nuts evenly.

Evenly spread the wet pecans on a parchment lined baking sheet, in one layer. The maple bourbon slurry might puddle, but don't worry it will bake into the pecans.

Bake in preheated 325° oven 10 minutes, then stirring the pecans every 5 minutes until the liquid is gone, for a total of about 25 minutes. The pecans should be roasted and deeper brown, but not blackened. Be sure each time you stir to try and get the pecans back in a single layer, sometimes I give the pan a little shake.

Remove from oven, stirring pecans one more time, trying to separate any large clumps. After a few minutes of cooling, separate any larger clumps to allow to dry completely.

Store in sealed bag at room temperature or in sealed container.

Delicious eaten by the handful, or on top of yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes and waffles, salads and much more. See post for all of the ways to use these delicious pecans.

Notes

Pecans last up to 2 months in a sealed baggie or container on the countertop, or up to 6 months in the freezer. They might be a tad bit sticky once thawed, but they still taste great. If you'd like to dry them back out, simply heat in 325 degree oven for 5 minutes and cool to dry.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

3 cups

Serving Size:

¼ cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 117Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 1091mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 0g

The nutritional information is estimated and may not be entirely accurate, at times it pulls information for suggestions and options which may increase calories, etc. Nutritional information will change based on used ingredients, quantities used, etc.

Did you make this recipe?

Go ahead, MAKE MY DAY! PIN on Pinterest and Comment on the blog!

© Kathleen | The Fresh Cooky © 2020
Cuisine: American / Category: This & That

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kathleen

ABOUT KATHLEEN

I enjoy sharing easy recipes that are wholesome and delicious. I am fed by my faith, family, friends & food! Welcome to my kitchen! Read more...

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Kathleen
Hi, I'm Kathleen! I develop easy recipes for foodies with a healthy twist! Using fresh ingredients, easy to follow steps - you CAN cook & bake! I am fed by my faith, family, friends & food! Follow me on your favorite social channel!

Welcome to my kitchen!
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