Sharing is caring!

Maple Spiced Pecans are a delicious and easy version of candied pecans!  Yummy pecans coated in a sugar mixture that tastes like Christmas is a delicious Holiday snack or gift! Make ahead and freeze for later!  

 

 

 

Do you enjoy candied nuts?  I’ve found that not only are Maple Spiced Pecans delicious to snack on, but they make a great gift. 

A few years ago my kids and I put together a basket full of goodies for the staff at my daughters school.  We walked around offering a treat to all the staff, allowing them to each pick something from the basket.  

The various packets of Cinnamon Pecans in the basket were the first to go.  It turns out everyone loves candied pecans!

Growing up, we did as many of my generation and previous generations did when it comes to nuts.  We cracked and shelled our own.  When we desired to eat a nut, you had to work for it. 

Today however, nuts come ready to eat and make for a convenient snack.  No more cracking, shelling and messes to clean up afterwards anymore.  

 

 

I guess it was destined to be with our ‘instant gratification’ society.  We don’t want to wait or work hard for the pleasures in life.  Instead we want convenience and ease.

Because of this convenience, making maple pecans is a cinch.  Simply create your syrup, pour it over your pecans and bake them!  After a few minutes baking, you’re given a bowl full of Maple Spiced Pecans that you wont be able to stop eating!

It wasn’t until I was married and in my mid twenties before I’d ever tried savory spiced pecans.  I’d heard of them of course, but had never actually eaten one.  However after I tried that first candied pecan, I knew I was in trouble.  

 

 

There is something festive about this maple spiced pecan recipe.  Perhaps it’s because of the sweetness the real maple syrup adds to the naturally sweet pecans. 

Or maybe it’s the cinnamon, ginger, cloves and all spice.  Each of these items represent the flavors of Christmas making these maple glazed pecans, a favorite among everyone who tries them.

Personally I find that I eat these maple syrup pecans most when sitting around the dining room table with family playing games.  Playing games is a favorite past time of ours and and activity everyone can agree on.  Our favorites are Phase 10 and Elfer Raus (a German card game).

 

 

How many calories are in candied pecans?

The number of calories in easy spiced pecans greatly depends on the recipe and how much sugar is in it.  

1 ounce of pecans, which equals approximately 20 pecan halves, will run you around 196 calories.  So that right there gives you a staring base. 

For this candied pecans with maple syrup recipe, there are approximately 332 calories per servings.  However in my Cinnamon Pecans, have approximately 206 calories per serving.  Both taste delicious, and yet different from one another.

 

 

Are Pecans naturally sweet?

Yes they are!  Pecans are one of the naturally sweetest nuts that grow.  Because of this, they are a favorite for snacking on and baking! 

Generally when a recipe calls for ‘nuts’ it’s referring to pecans or walnuts.  However in my house we always use pecans.  They also make a great snack to help curb that sweet tooth you may have!  

 

 

Do candied pecans go bad?

YES Maple Spiced Pecans can go bad!  First off, let’s talk about just pecans.  Pecans DO GO BAD.  Even if you freeze them they can go bad.  Freezing nuts extends their life and keeps them tasting fresher longer. 

However there comes a point where the nuts just go bad.  I always freeze my nuts the moment I bring them home from the store. It’s a habit I’ve been in for years and serves me well.  However sometimes a bag of nuts falls to the back of the freezer only to be found well past it’s best by date.  

On one such occasion I was making my Pecan Oatmeal Banana Bread and pulled out a bag of old nuts from the freezer. 

However I didn’t realize they were old when I pulled them out.  Out of habit, and because they are so tasty, I always pop a few in my mouth before adding any to my batter.  Lucky for me, upon the first bite I knew the nuts were bad.  

 

 

Instead of that beautiful sweet flavor that is well known to a delicious pecan, my nuts were sour tasting and left a very distinct and difficult to get rid of taste in my mouth.  Thankfully I hadn’t added any to my bread and was able to pull out a NEW bag of nuts to add to it.  

So from first hand experience I can tell you that pecans do go bad.  Because of this, candied pecans will too!  Maple Candied Pecans will generally last up to one month fresh and 3 (or more) months frozen.  Despite the candy coating, maple roasted pecans will eventually become soft and unpleasant tasting.  

But don’t worry.  Once you and your guests taste these, I doubt you’ll have any left to go rancid.

 

 

How do you freshen old pecans?

When it comes to freshening up old pecans, the oven or microwave will be your friend.  It’s a similar concept as making stale tortilla chips fresh and crispy again.  Bake them.  Natural or Spiced Pecans can placed on a cookie sheet and baked at 350* for 10 minutes or less.  This will help bring out the naturally delicious flavor as well as firm them up.  

 

 

Are Pecans Low Carb?

Surprisingly they are!  1 ounce of pecans, which is approximately 20 pecan halves, only contains 1 gram of net carbs! I’m not a keto expert, but I’d say that’s pretty good!  Considered a good fat, Pecans are a favorite among nut lovers everywhere.  

Sadly Maple Syrup is not on the approved Keto diet, so these nuts would be a no go (or so I’m told).

Despite not being Keto, this Maple Spiced Pecan recipe is a winner among our family and friends!  

 

Sharing is caring!