Easy Candied Pecans

 

This is a wonderful snack.  Pecans, or almost any kind of nut, with a cinnamon syrup coating.  Be warned.  Once you start eating them, it is hard to stop.

Ingredients

1 3/4 c. pecan halves
1 Tbs. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

Directions

Heat oven to 250°.

Place pecan halves in a baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake the pecans for 10 minutes, or until they are nicely warmed.

In a heavy saucepan, combine butter, sugar, water, salt and cinnamon.  Over medium heat, cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and the sugar is completely dissolved. It is important that the sugar dissolves completely, because if it isn't, sugar crystals will form. This will give the texture of eating grainy pecans.  

Cover the pot with a lid.  Cook for 2 minutes.  This will dissolve the sugar that may be on the sides of the pot. 

Remove the lid.  Cook without stirring until the mixture reaches soft ball stage, 236° on a candy thermometer.  Remove from heat.

Stir in vanilla.  

Add the pecans.  Stir until the pecans are evenly coated in the syrup. 

Spread the pecans on a buttered baking sheet.  Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Spread on a cool baking sheet lined with waxed paper.

Cool and enjoy.