Today is a day to celebrate one of America’s favorite nuts. It’s National Pecan Day.
Pecans have been a staple in the South, including Arkansas for years. The pecan has become a key ingredient in various dishes, many desserts, and we thought it fitting to give this nut the attention it deserves on this, its day of honor.
Here are just some of the things you can do with pecans to make a delicious snack:
Spiced pecans is a great option for nut lovers, and for this one, you don’t even have to leave Little Rock. The folks over at Capital Bar and Grill were kind enough to share the recipe to their delicious spiced pecans (If you didn’t see the recipe to their pimento cheese, which they shared a few weeks ago, click here). It needs no further introduction.
Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
•Fresh pecan halves
•1 pint corn syrup
•Deep fryer heated to 350 degrees
•1 teaspoons finely-ground kosher salt
•1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
And here’s the process:
In a heavy gauge saucepan, boil the pecans in the simple syrup for approximately 10 minutes. Drain the pecans thoroughly, then deep fry them for approximately 30 to 40 seconds. Remove from the fryer, drain well and toss in a bowl with the combined salt and cayenne pepper. Spread the pecans out on a baking tray and allow the pecans to cool completely before storing in an air-tight container.
You cannot have a salute to the pecan without including its signature dish: the pecan pie. At birthday parties, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners or any other family gathering in the South, this has been a recurring dessert.
For this particular recipe, you’ll need the following:
•1 cup sugar
•1 1/2 cups corn syrup (can be 1/2 dark and 1/2 light)
•4 eggs
•1/4 cup butter
•1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
•1 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely broken
•1 unbaked deep dish pie shell
And here’s how you make it:
In a saucepan, boil sugar and corn syrup together for 2 to 3 minutes, set aside to cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat eggs lightly and slowly pour the syrup mixture into the eggs, stirring constantly. Stir in butter, vanilla and pecans. Then, pour into crust. Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 45 to 60 minutes or until set.
You saw it right. Sweet pecan. Sticky. Buns. Just imagine all the gooey goodness of a honey bun or cinnamon roll, paired with pecans. Sorry, we’re going to go whip some of these up while you take a look at the recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delectable treats:
-For the filling:
•1/4 cup brown sugar (not packed)
•1 tablespoon light whipped butter or light buttery spread
•1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
•1/8 teaspoon salt
-For the buns:
•1 package refrigerated Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations Seamless Dough Sheet
-For the topping:
•3 tablespoons fat-free or light caramel dip
•2 tablespoons light whipped butter or light buttery spread
•2 tablespoons sugar-free pancake syrup
•1 tablespoon brown sugar (not packed)
•3 tablespoons chopped pecans
And here’s how you make it:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, spray eight cups of a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
To make filling, combine brown sugar with butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 10 seconds, or until butter has mostly melted. Mix in cinnamon and salt, and set aside.
Lay dough on a dry surface with the short sides on the left and right, and the long sides on the top and bottom. Roll or stretch out dough into a large rectangle of even thickness. Evenly spread filling onto dough, leaving a one-inch border around all edges.
Tightly roll up dough from the bottom, forming a log. Pinch the long seam to seal. Gently turn so the seam side is down. Cut log widthwise into eight equally sized buns. Place a bun in each of the eight sprayed muffin caps, spiral side up. Set aside.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine all topping ingredients except pecans. Microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, until butter has mostly melted. Add pecans and mix well. Evenly distribute topping among buns, about one tablespoon each.
Bake in the oven until golden brown, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Gently remove buns from pan while still warm.
Seriously. What else could you possibly want in life? Pecan pie and brownies, that’s a good start. We hope you can make it through the entire recipe without running out of work and to the grocery store.
Here are the ingredients:
•1 (2 lb.) frozen pecan pie, thawed
•1/2 cup butter
•2 semi-sweet cups chocolate chips
•1 cup brown sugar
•2 eggs
•2 teaspoons vanilla
•1 cup milk
•1 1/2 cups flour
•1 teaspoon baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon salt
The process:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Cut your thawed pie into about one-inch cubes. In a medium saucepan, combine chocolate chips and butter, and heat over medium-low until melted, stirring consistently, then, set aside. In your stand mixer, combine sugar, eggs, vanilla and milk, mixing until incorporated. Slowly add in the chocolate mixture and half the pecan pie cubes, continuing to stir until well mixed. The batter will be lumpy due to the pecan pie bits. Add in the flour, baking powder and salt, stirring until just incorporated. Add in the remaining pecan pie cubes, stirring until evenly mixed in. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until center is just set and a toothpick inserted two inches from the edge comes out clean. Transfer pan to wire rack and allow to cool.
Chocolate chips and pecans come together to make one grand cookie. What could be better? Don’t forget the glass of milk to go with this one.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
•1 cup butter (2 sticks)
•3/4 cup sugar
•3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
•1 teaspoon vanilla
•2 eggs
•2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
•1 teaspoon salt
•1 teaspoon baking soda
•2 cups chocolate chips
•1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
And the directions:
Cream butter and sugars together until combined. Then, add eggs and vanilla, and mix well. Combine flour, salt and baking soda in a separate bowl and gradually stir into the butter-sugar mixture. Once combined, stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Spoon the dough onto an un-greased cookie sheet (or one line with parchment paper) in one-tablespoon amounts. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
If these five ideas are not enough for some of you pecan lovers, check out this blog with 40 different ideas.
Happy National Pecan Day, everyone!