The pecan is a ubiquitous nut (okay, technically a drupe, but for all intents and purposes, it's a nut!) native to North America. In fact, the word "pecan" dates back to the Algonquin tribe's word for it — pacane — which means "nut requiring a stone to crack." Well, since then, we've certainly cracked the nut and have managed to make pecans an important part of modern American cuisine, with a lot of delicious pecan recipes. Even today, we produce over half of the world's pecans! So, in honor of the beloved pecan, we've got 10 delicious pecan recipes for you to indulge in as quickly as you pe-can.
10 Incredible Pecan Recipes You Won't Believe
Do you pronounce it pee-can or puh-kahn? Regardless of how you pronounce it, you'll want to grab a bag of pecan halves and mix up these deliciously easy recipes as soon as possible. And believe it or not, pecans also have a ton of health benefits too!
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
The first pecan dessert you might think of is the pecan pie, of course. Why not? It's a classic Thanksgiving dessert, but there's no reason you can't make it year-round. These chocolate pecan pie bars, in fact, are like a mix between a brownie and a pecan pie. The pie crust is topped with chocolate chips and pecan pie filling, which turns these bars into an ooey, gooey treat you won't be able to resist.
Get the recipe here at Tidy Mom.
Butter Pecan Ice Cream
If you're from the south, you already know about the wonders of this old-fashioned butter pecan ice cream. Buttery pecans are added to an ice cream base with elements of vanilla extract and brown sugar. Churn it up, and you've got yourself a divine-tasting treat for warm weather... or any weather, really. It's also naturally gluten-free!
Get the recipe here at House of Nash Eats.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
You might prefer a sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows, but we are going to argue that the pecan topping is superior. The nutty flavor of crunchy pecans pairs perfectly with cinnamon-spiced sweet potatoes, making for the ideal side dish. And psst, if you really don't want to make an entire casserole... you can just put the pecan topping on waffles for an indulgent, easy breakfast.
Get the recipe here at Build Your Bite.
Candied Pecans
This is a very easy pecan recipe! These candied pecans are a magnificent sweet appetizer. All you need is brown sugar, salt, water, cinnamon, and pecan halves and that's it. Pair these with goat cheese, and you've got an elegant and delicious snack that nobody will be able to resist. These candied nuts also make great holiday gifts! You could also use them as a delicious base for some homemade granola, in a pecan salad, or they could top a plain cheesecake to make it even better. You could also make them spiced pecans by adding a little bit of cayenne.
Get the recipe here at Preppy Kitchen.
Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Pecan Turtles
If you've never had pecan turtles, you're missing out! Take toasted pecans, add some homemade caramel sauce, and top them with melted dark chocolate and flaky sea salt. You can put them all together on a single baking sheet, which makes it really easy for cleanup, too. They look cute and taste great.
Get the recipe here at Baker By Nature.
Pecan Sandies
Pecan Sandies are another old-fashioned pecan dessert... but they still check out. This shortbread recipe only has a handful of ingredients but delivers great flavor for a pecan cookie. After you make them, you can eat them all at once (maybe not the greatest idea) or store them in an airtight container.
Get the recipe here at Back to My Southern Roots.
Pecan Sticky Buns
Cinnamon rolls are so passé. What you really want for your fancy brunch are these pecan sticky buns... though maybe not too fancy, because the sticky buns definitely live up to their name! Hey, you can always use a fork. The caramel pecan topping is truly to die for. This recipe might not be as easy or quick as some of these others as it calls for a yeasted dough, but it's worth it.
Get the recipe here at Modern Crumb.
Cinnamon and Pecan Crusted Salmon
When you think of savory pecan recipes, maybe you think of something like chicken salad. But what about salmon? Paprika, cinnamon, salt, and Dijon mustard make a crispy pecan topping for salmon, making it an entrée to remember. Plus, the whole thing is totally gluten-free. The topping would taste good on pork chops, too.
Get the recipe here at Simply Quinoa.
Pecan Pralines
What even are pecan pralines? Well, they're kind of like pecan fudge, except they're dolloped individually onto a baking sheet instead of left to set in one container, like a cake. So... it's basically like pecan fudge and a pecan cookie all rolled into one. You'll need a candy thermometer to make the recipe, but everyone will be raving about these treats once you serve them.
Get the recipe here at Tornadough Alli.
Browned Butter Maple Pecan Pie
Don't worry, we wouldn't leave you without a straight-up pecan pie recipe. And this one doesn't have corn syrup! Instead, it's made with maple syrup and brown butter, leading to more intensive, delicious, nutty flavors that your typical pecan pie recipe. Serve it with whipped cream, and you've got one of the best pecan desserts on the planet. You know in your heart it's better than pumpkin pie, too.
Get the recipe here at Handle the Heat.
READ MORE: The Big Difference Between Pecans and Walnuts
