Sugar Coated Pecans

Say hello to one of my very favorite treats, ever.  

I found this gem on Allrecipes years ago (modified it by adding vanilla and extra cinnamon) and make them every fall to go with pumpkin cheesecake and at Christmas just to eat or to give as gifts.....if I can stand to part with them.  

Have you ever had those awesome spiced-sugared nuts at those kiosks at the mall.....where you can smell them before you see them and they hand out free samples and after the first taste you determine to buy at least 3 lbs to eat on the way home, but then when you see they cost $12 a half-pound, you change your mind and walk away holding your breath so you don't have to keep smelling that intoxicating scent? 

These are just as good, if not better, than those.  

No kidding.

And considering you can buy 2 lbs of pecans at Sam's Club for less than $11, it's a pretty good deal to make as gifts, too. 

Recipe:

1 lb. pecan halves

1 egg white

1-1/2 t. water

1-1/2 t. vanilla extract

1 cup sugar (white)

1 t. cinnamon

3/4 t. salt

Preheat oven to 250°. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, whisk egg white with water and vanilla until bubbly and frothy.

Add the pecans and toss to coat well.

In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, cinnamon, and salt.  Sprinkle over pecans and stir until evenly distributed.  

Spread out on baking sheet and bake for 45 min - 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. I usually stop around 50 minutes or so.  

Try to let them cool before eating.  

You won't believe how good your kitchen will smell.  

These will be topping a new pumpkin cheesecake I'll be making tomorrow.  Hurray for Thanksgiving!

For the record, in case you were wondering, I say "Puh cahns", not "Pee Cans".  What do you say?