Bourbon Old Fashioned Glazed Pecans Recipe (2024)

  • Hors D'Oeuvres
  • Stovetop
  • Pecans
  • Christmas Appetizers

Inspired by the classic co*cktail, spicy-sweet pecans are doused with bourbon and dotted with orange zest and bourbon-soaked cherries.

ByMarvin Gapultos

Updated October 24, 2022

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Why It Works

  • Soaking the cherries in bourbon—in addition to glazing the pecans with the spirit—ensures that the boozy flavor comes through.
  • Adding orange zest to the nuts after they have been glazed and cooled keeps the flavor of the zest vibrant and fresh.

Although the Old Fashioned has come to be one of today's most revered co*cktails, I find that it can also be one of the mostinconsistentlymade drinks. While its ingredients are few (sugar, bitters, water, whiskey), the Old Fashioned can range from simple and superb, to a sweet and syrupy mess—all depending on the skill and knowledge of the bartender at whichever watering hole you happen to wander into.

Conversely, that bowl of mixed nuts that adorns many a bar can be one of the mostconsistentthings on offer. Problem is, they are usually consistently stale, and consistently bland. A bowl of stale nuts is about as tempting as, well, a bowl of stale nuts. Which is why I usually steer clear of such roughage no matter how peckish I get when sitting at a bar.

It's a good thing, then, that I do most of my drinking and snacking at home. As such, I decided to use one of my favorite co*cktails (the Old Fashioned, natch), as inspiration to improve upon that usually insipid bowl of mixed bar nuts.

For this particular recipe I used pecans, but really, any mix of raw nuts will do. After a few minutes toasting in a dry skillet, the pecans become fragrant and nutty. A toss in melted butter and a mix of brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne would seem to be all these pecans need. But to echo their boozy inspiration, the nuts are then doused with bourbon and dotted with old-fashioned accouterments of orange zest and cherries (dried cherries made plump by a soak in more bourbon).

The result is a spicy-sweet snack of glazed pecans worthy of a perfectly madeOld Fashioned co*cktail, or any cool beverage you happen to be nursing.

August 2012

Recipe Details

Bourbon Old Fashioned Glazed Pecans Recipe

Active15 mins

Total45 mins

Serves8 servings

Makes2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey

  • 1/4 cup dried cherries

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/8 to1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 2 cupsraw pecan halves

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 tablespoon zest from 1 small orange

Directions

  1. Combine bourbon and dried cherries in a small bowl and set aside to soak for 30 minutes. In another small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper and stir until well-combined. Set aside.

  2. Place pecans in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until they just start to brown and smell toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter to pan and stir until the butter is completely melted and the pecans are coated.

  3. Add the sugar and spice mixture to pan and stir to combine. Turn off heat and immediately pour in cherries and bourbon. Stir for 1-2 minutes more, off heat, until everything is well incorporated.

  4. Return pan to medium heat and continue to stir everything in pan until the liquid thickens and a glaze forms on the pecans, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Transfer pecans to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.

  5. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, separate the pecans and spread them into an even layer on the parchment paper. Allow pecans to cool completely. Once pecans have cooled, zest orange over pecans. Transfer pecans to a large bowl and serve.

Special Equipment

Nonstick skillet, sheet pan lined with parchment paper

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
156Calories
12g Fat
9g Carbs
1g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories156
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g16%
Saturated Fat 3g13%
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 159mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 9g3%
Dietary Fiber 1g5%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 2mg11%
Calcium 16mg1%
Iron 0mg2%
Potassium 80mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Bourbon Old Fashioned Glazed Pecans Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long do you soak pecans in bourbon? ›

It's pretty much agreed that the minimum soaking time for bourbon in pecans is 30 minutes, especially when making glazed or candied bourbon pecans. For a more intense nutty flavor and crisp texture, lightly toast the pecans first; six to eight minutes should do the trick.

Why do you soak pecans before roasting? ›

Wet pecans allow the salt to stick easily to the nuts. Plus, soaking nuts helps neutralize enzyme inhibitors, which can harm your digestion, and reduce phytates, which decrease nutrient absorption. Just submerge your nuts in water while the oven is heating up and you'll be good to go.

How do you keep candied pecans from sticking together? ›

After 45 minutes, remove them from the oven and let them rest. You can remove the pecans to a baking sheet to cool faster if you like. Stir them every 10 minutes or so to avoid them clumping together, or you can just break them apart with a spatula or your hands later. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Why are my candied pecans soft? ›

Why are my candied pecans soft and sticky? If your pecans are soft, it's most likely because they weren't baked long enough and are still retaining moisture. The sugar needs to bake long enough to caramelize and form a brittle coating on the nuts.

Is it better to soak pecans before eating? ›

In a nutshell, soaking could increase the absorption of some nutrients, but the difference is super small – and pretty insignificant in the context of your whole diet. If you love the texture and like to use soft, soaked nuts for recipes or nut butters, go ahead!

How long do you soak pecans to activate? ›

Soaking and Drying Times for Different Nuts
Nut (1cup)SaltSoaking Time
Pecans1/2 tsp5-8 hours
Pine Nuts1 tsp7-10 hours
Pistachios1 tsp5-8 hours
Walnuts1/2 tsp5-8 hours
5 more rows
Apr 28, 2023

What happens if you don't soak nuts? ›

It is true that nuts contain phytic acid, or phytates, which can bind with minerals, making them unavailable to the body. But while soaking nuts in salted water may reduce phytic acid levels, the amount of phytates in nuts is too small to cause a mineral deficiency in either children or adults.

How do you get the bitterness out of pecans? ›

Some of the tannin and all of the corky material can be removed by washing the kernels before cooking. To "sweeten" the pecan meats (kernels), simply put the pecan kernels in a bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Stir and tumble the meats in the water for several minutes and you will see the discoloration in the water.

What is the best temperature to roast pecans? ›

Your oven is also a great tool for toasting pecans. For this method, preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts evenly onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake until they begin to brown and become aromatic, making sure to toss halfway through, 7 to 10 minutes.

How many cups is one pound of pecans? ›

Measurements and Substitutions

If you happen to have pecans in their shells, remember that 1 pound equals 3 cups shelled, about 4 cups pecan halves, and about 3 3/4 cups chopped nuts. Equivalents to know when using shelled pecans are that 1 pound equals 4 cups and 1 cup of pecan halves equals 3/4 cup chopped.

How much salt do you soak pecans in? ›

To soak nuts, seeds, legumes and grains, dissolve 1 tsp sea salt in a bowl of 2-3 cups of pure, warm water. Add your ingredients. Make sure there is enough water to cover them about 2 inches.

Can dogs have pecans? ›

These nuts are toxic for dogs. Eating them can result in pets becoming sick and needing immediate veterinary care. “The reason pecans are considered toxic is that they contain a compound called juglone, also found in walnuts, that is harmful to dogs,” advises Dr.

How many pecans does it take to make 1 lb? ›

For a pound of nutmeat, you will need 2½ pounds of in-shell pecans. In order to help you maintain the highest quality pecan meats, we have developed the following guide to help you understand the best way to handle and store your pecans.

Why do pecans taste weird? ›

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

How to make candied pecans less sticky? ›

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt makes these taste salty-sweet. If you'd prefer to not taste the salt, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Pecans too sticky: If your nuts are still sticky after cooling, heat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and bake for 5 to 10 minutes to help harden the candy coating.

Should you soak pecans before cracking? ›

To keep the pecan meat from shattering, the nuts are moistened or “conditioned” before cracking. There are two methods used to accomplish this. The cold water method soaks the pecans in chlorinated water for as long as eight hours.

How long to soak pecans before planting? ›

To stratify pecans, they should be soaked in tap water for 24 hours to fully hydrate. Vermiculite, available at garden centers, should be wet and allowed to drain overnight. Mix the pecans and moist vermiculite in a labeled plastic bag and place in a cool area 36 F to 40 F.

How long do pecans need to cure? ›

Because pecans often contain lots of moisture when they first fall, they'll need to dry. Pecans are laid in a shallow sheet layer and dried in a warm space for around two weeks. You can use fans or heat to help speed the process up.

What are the benefits of soaked pecans? ›

"Soaked nuts possess several advantages over unsoaked nuts, including improved digestibility, increased nutrient availability, and enhanced taste," said Bansal. The soaking process can also enhance the texture of nuts, making them more enjoyable to eat.

References

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