There are many different ways to use Pecans, from savory dishes to sweet ones. Pecans are a common ingredient in Southern cooking, so these recipes will make your pecans shine! Here are a few of my favorites. They are perfect for any occasion. Try one of them today. You’ll thank yourself for the day! These Southern pecan recipes are sure to become staples in your kitchen.
Whether cooking for family or guests, pecans will add flavor to any meal. A simple pecan pie is a classic dessert that only requires a few ingredients. While this pie is suitable for any time of the year, it’s incredibly delicious around the holiday season. It’s a simple dessert that everyone will enjoy. So why wait until the holidays to give yourself a pecan pie? Make it today! You’ll be glad you did! It’s the perfect way to celebrate the holidays! And since it’s made with only a few simple ingredients, you can make it any time of the year!
Pecans pair perfectly with this leafy green. Kale can handle hefty ingredients without wilting and making a pretty salad look boring. Chef Ryan Hardy prepares a kale salad with pecans on top for Thanksgiving. While his recipe calls for deep-frying pecans, I prefer toasted ones. A vegan charcuterie plate is also a fun way to serve pecans.
Best Pecan Recipes
1. Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
Caramel pecan pie cheesecake bars are the perfect dessert if you like cheesecake and pecan pie (hi, pal!). We’re talking about a creamy cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust, a caramel pecan topping that tastes like pecan pie, and a drizzle of sweet caramel sauce. So wonderful and ideal for your Thanksgiving meal or whenever you’re in the mood for something sweet this autumn.
2. Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Cut and bake Pecan shortbread biscuits are delicious, nutty, buttery shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth with finely chopped nuts. They’re cut and baked after being rolled in brown sugar and additional pecans. They’re simple to create, making them the ideal cookie to include in a cookie exchange on your holiday baking list or for any time of year. These cookies are elementary to make, and you can freeze them or a roll of cookie dough to bake a batch whenever you like. Soft and chewy peanut butter cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies, M&M cookies, and soft and chewy ginger cookies are some more easy sweets to create.
3. Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan pie bars are the perfect way to get all of the tastes of traditional pecan pie without all of the work. It contains a buttery shortbread crust with a sweet, crunchy pecan filling (no corn syrup) baked and sliced into bite-size squares or bars. You’ll adore this quick and easy handheld version if you like pecan pie. They’re the ideal festive delicacy to serve at holiday parties and work potlucks or give as a present.
4. Chopped Pecan Pie Recipes
You don’t always want to serve the same traditional desserts at your holiday table, but you still want those familiar fall flavors. Pecan pie is my favorite holiday dish, and this year I’ve altered things up a little by using finely (or coarsely) chopped pecans instead of pecan halves to produce a smooth, crunchy covering. Atop what I’ve dubbed “chopped pecan pie!”
This chopped pecan pie tastes like heaven in your mouth with every bite. How could it not be? You’ve got all the great flavors of traditional pecan pie crust, silky custard filling, and pecan topping in that pie crust (with a slightly different texture). Instead of pecan halves, chopped nuts leave less mess on your plate once your fork has broken into the pie.
5. Pecan Snowball Cookies
Pecan snowball cookies (Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies) are small buttery shortbread balls stuffed with finely chopped pecans that melt in your mouth. Powdered sugar is sprinkled over this traditional holiday cookie to make it even more festive and delicious. Please make a note of them for your Christmas baking list right now.
Shortbread should be on everyone’s Christmas baking list. The most traditional shortbread-type Christmas cookie is pecan snowball biscuits. Cranberry orange shortbread cookies, jam-filled thumbprint cookies, Linzer cookies, Christmas shortbread cookie bites, slice and bake pecan shortbread cookies, and chocolate dipped shortbread cookies are other festive shortbread sweets to include in a holiday cookie box or cookie exchange.
6. Apple & Pecan Cake
Something magical happens when you blend the warm and cozy flavors of apples and roasted pecans. It’s also known as the ideal fall cake. Yes, people, this is happening right now! Pecan butter icing on an apple cake. This recipe is chock-full of tiny tidbits that will help the cake become even more moist and flavorful. By substituting oil for butter, the cake will stay soft and moist even if eaten straight from the fridge. It’s unlikely that I’ll be able to warm this up as much as possible, and it’ll travel right from the fridge to my stomach!
7. Apple Cinnamon Granola Recipe
Prep this delicious and easy cinnamon apple granola ahead of time to make your mornings a bit easier, and I promise you’ll never repurchase store-bought! In granola form, this tastes exactly like apple pie. Nothing, in my opinion, can compare to the taste of this dish. Cinnamon and apples are perfect for fall, and when you add some crunchy nuts and chewy raisins, you’ll be putting this cinnamon apple granola on everything. I like to put it on top of my favorite yogurt, mix it into a delicious fruit parfait, or eat it by the handful (which is my favorite way to consume it!). This granola is also fantastic on vanilla ice cream as a topping! This is something I can assure you of.
8. Pumpkin Pie Granola
Do you have a strong need for pumpkin pie in the morning but don’t want to consume a slice for breakfast? The solution to your issues is pumpkin pie granola. This granola, unlike pumpkin pie, is gluten-free, vegan, and free of processed sugar. It’s sweetened with maple syrup and contains rolled oats, real pumpkin, pumpkin spice, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), and pecans. Prepare yourself because this stuff will make you want to eat it all.
9. Gingerbread Granola
There is nothing like homemade gingerbread granola for filling your house with the scent of the holidays. This gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free granola is made with rolled oats, warm winter spices, rich molasses, maple syrup, pecans, almonds, and cranberries. Make plenty of extras since this granola is irresistible.
10. Almond Pecan Granola Recipes
Spending your hard-earned money on a bag of store-bought granola is a waste of money!! Granola from the store is loaded with unhealthy fats and carbohydrates and a slew of over-processed components and preservatives. You can make your own unprocessed, low-sugar, preservative-free granola for a fraction of the cost. What’s the catch, exactly? How about 5 minutes of prep time? All you have to do now is put forth a little effort! The oven will finish the job for you. It’s true. Making your almond pecan granola is simple.
How to Make the Best Gingerbread Granola?
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl. In a large mixing basin, combine rolled oats, pecans, slivered almonds, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Combine olive oil, maple syrup, molasses, and vanilla essence in a separate basin. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until everything is well combined.
- Make the granola by baking it. In a sizeable parchment-lined half sheet baking pan, spread the granola mixture. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 25-30 minutes, mixing the granola halfway through.
- Cooldown and add cranberries. Remove from the oven and let it cool down (about 15 minutes). Then, mix in dried cranberries and toss to combine.
How to Serve Gingerbread Granola?
Granola is a fantastic foodstuff to keep on hand because it can be used in various ways. Serve it for breakfast over a bowl of milk or yogurt, layer it in a yogurt parfait, sprinkle it over banana toast with honey for lunch, or eat it by the handfuls all day. Granola is often made comprised of rolled oats, almonds, and honey or maple syrup. It can be served over yogurt or blended with your favored baked products for breakfast or a noon snack.
How to Make the Best Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars?
Make the cheesecake crust first. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly oil it. (After baking, the parchment paper will make removing the cheesecake from the pan easier.) Combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a medium mixing basin. Pour in the melted butter in a slow, steady stream, constantly stirring until thoroughly combined. Firmly press the crumbs into the baking pan lined with parchment paper. Put the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to let the crust firm. Make the cheesecake filling next. Cream together cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, flour, and salt in a large mixing basin with a hand mixer until thoroughly combined. One at a time, add the eggs and beat until barely combined (Do not overmix to avoid cracking during baking).
Now it’s time to construct the cheesecake and bake it. Fill the cooled crust with the filling and level up the top. In a big baking pan, place the square pan. Fill the pan halfway with boiling water, about 1 inch (2 cm) deep. Place the large baking pan in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes, or until the filling is set, in a boiling water bath. (Baking in a hot water bath helps avoid cracking due to rapid temperature drops.) After that, sprinkle the pecans on top. Combine chopped pecans, melted butter, and caramel sauce in a medium mixing basin. Using a spoon, spread the mixture evenly over the top of the cheesecake. Any leftover caramel sauce in the bowl can be used as a garnish.
Return the baking pan to the oven and bake at 350°F for another 25-30 minutes, or until the pecan mixture is set. Remove the pan from the oven and set it aside for one hour to enable the cheesecake to cool to room temperature. Then, using the prepared parchment paper, carefully remove the cheesecake from the pan and lay it on a wire cooling rack. This prevents the cheesecake crust from becoming soggy while it’s in the fridge.
How to Store Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake?
In the refrigerator: Caramel pecan pie cheesecake can be kept in an airtight container for up to a week. You can keep it in the baking pan you used and cover it securely with aluminum foil or cling wrap to keep it fresh.
In the freezer: You may keep pecan pie cheesecake for up to three months in the freezer. Wrap the entire cheesecake or slices tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. Take the cake out of the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve and eat it.
How to Make the Best Slice and Bake Pecan Shortbread Cookies?
To make the shortbread dough, cream the butter and sugar together in a stand mixer or a hand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and continue to beat on medium until fully integrated. Gradually add the flour and mix on low speed until everything is well mixed. Beat in the pecans until they are fully integrated. At this time, the dough will appear to be very dry. Turn the mixer to high and beat for 2 minutes, or until the dough begins to clump together and becomes less dry and more breadcrumb-like (You should be able to shape the dough into a ball using your hands easily).
Form the dough into logs by dividing it in half and rolling each half into a ball. Then roll into a 2-inch-diameter log. You can roll it out thicker, but you’ll get fewer cookies. Wrap the logs in plastic cling wrap tightly. Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours and up to overnight. You can even freeze one log for up to three months if you want to save it for later. Roll the logs as follows: Blend pecans and dark brown sugars in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Place the cooled logs on a big dish and roll them around until they are completely coated. Roll them in after slicing if you’re having difficulties getting the coating to stick to the cookies.
Cut the dough into 14-inch to 12-inch slices using a long sharp knife, and lay about 1-inch apart on two half-sheet baking sheets coated with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Allow 5 minutes for cookies to cool in the pan before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.
Conclusion
You can even try stuffing pecans in mushrooms! This recipe is particularly delicious when stuffed inside a mushroom and is a perfect way to add pecan flavor to a meal. And it’s great on salads too! You’ll be surprised at how delicious it tastes! If you have leftover pecans from a holiday meal, it’s time to try these pecan recipes. They’re sure to add a whole new flavor to your dinner plans! Pecans can last for weeks in the refrigerator or freezer when stored properly. The key is to harvest them as soon as they drop from the tree. If left to sit for a long time, they’ll spoil quickly and attract animals. If left uncollected, pecans will likely mold and get eaten by animals. Once you’ve gathered them, you’ll need to remove the brown outer husk so you can use them right away.
If you’re hosting a get-together in the fall, a classic pecan recipe is a delicious snack to bring to the table. Pecans are easy to make and go well with a cold beer. To prepare pecans, toast them in a hot oven. Be sure to oversee them, though; they’re easily burnt. Be sure to add butter to the nuts before they burn! Once toasted, return them to the oven to let the butter melt, then stir until they are evenly coated.
