Nutty Pecan Vanillas Recipe: Heavenly Treats in Minutes

Sweetness meets sophistication in these scrumptious pecan vanilla delights that dance between classic comfort and gourmet elegance.

Warm, nutty pecans blend seamlessly with rich vanilla undertones, creating a dessert that whispers indulgence.

Each bite promises a delicate crunch and smooth, velvety texture that melts deliciously on your tongue.

The recipe captures the essence of Southern charm with its simple yet irresistible ingredients.

Golden-brown edges hint at the caramelized goodness waiting to be savored.

Subtle vanilla notes complement the deep, toasted flavor of perfectly roasted pecans.

These delightful treats will become your new favorite sweet sensation, guaranteed to impress and delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

Calories: 267 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients List for Pecan Vanillas

• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create the smooth, caramel-like foundation of the candy, selecting fine-textured sugar ensures smooth melting.
• Evaporated Milk: Adds rich creaminess and helps stabilize the candy's texture, choose full-fat version for best results.
• Butter: Brings luxurious flavor and helps bind ingredients, use unsalted for precise flavor control.

• Vanilla Chips: Creates a creamy, sweet backdrop with subtle vanilla notes, look for high-quality chips that melt smoothly.
• Marshmallow Creme: Contributes silky texture and extra sweetness, opt for fresh, smooth-flowing creme.
• Vanilla Extract: Intensifies the overall flavor profile, select pure vanilla extract for deep, authentic taste.

• Pecans: Adds delightful crunch and nutty complexity, choose fresh, crisp pecans and chop them to ensure even distribution throughout the candy.

Tools for Mixing and Baking Pecan Vanillas

• Heavy-bottomed saucepan: Essential for even heating and preventing candy mixture from burning.
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients smoothly without scratching the pan.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Waxed paper: Provides a non-stick surface for cooling and shaping the candies.
• Cookie sheets or clean countertop: Offers a stable workspace for preparing the candy.
• Tablespoon: Helps in uniformly dropping and shaping the candy mixture.

How to Make Soft and Nutty Pecan Vanillas

Pecan Vanilla Delights

• Candy Preparation Surface

Create a smooth workspace by laying out waxed paper on clean cookie sheets or countertop. This provides a perfect landing spot for your sweet creations.

• Smooth Sugar Base

In a heavy saucepan, blend sugar, milk, and butter over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the mixture bubbles energetically. Maintain a gentle boil while stirring for about 8 minutes.

• Creamy Chocolate Fusion

Introduce vanilla chips and marshmallow creme into the hot mixture. Stir until everything melts into a silky, glossy liquid. Remove from heat once completely smooth.

• Nutty Flavor Explosion

Fold in vanilla extract and chopped pecans. Ensure the nuts are evenly distributed throughout the candy mixture for a delightful crunch in every bite.

• Shaping Sweet Moments

Let the mixture cool and thicken for roughly 23 minutes. If it becomes too firm, gently stir in a splash of milk to restore creaminess. Spoon dollops onto prepared waxed paper.

• Final Cooling

Allow candies to set completely at room temperature. This might take several hours, but patience rewards you with perfect, melt-in-your-mouth treats.

Tips to Perfect the Flavor of Pecan Vanillas

• Candy Cooling Hack: Place the waxed paper with dropped candies in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight to help them set perfectly and maintain their smooth texture.
• Nut Swap Magic: Replace pecans with toasted almonds, walnuts, or macadamia nuts for a delightful flavor twist that transforms the classic recipe into a personalized treat.
• Flavor Boost Trick: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the candies just before they set completely to enhance the sweetness and create a gourmet flavor profile that makes these treats extra special.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep the Pecan Vanilla Delights in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper. They'll stay fresh for up to two weeks at room temperature or can be refrigerated for extended preservation.
• Decoration Drama: Drizzle melted dark or white chocolate over the cooled candies, or sprinkle crushed nuts on top for an elegant finishing touch that makes these treats look as stunning as they taste.

Serving Pecan Vanillas for Any Occasion

• Sweet Sharing Moments: Gift these delightful pecan vanilla treats to friends and family during holiday gatherings or as a thoughtful homemade present wrapped in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon.
• Dessert Pairing Perfection: Serve these candies alongside a warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent after-dinner indulgence that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Elegant Presentation Idea: Arrange the candies on a beautiful ceramic platter or vintage glass dish, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few whole pecans to create a visually stunning dessert centerpiece that will impress guests.
• Texture and Temperature Tip: For the most incredible taste experience, let the candies sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to fully develop and the texture to become perfectly smooth and creamy.

How to Store and Save Pecan Vanillas Easily

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Place the candy drops on waxed paper in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. Room temperature works best for allowing candies to set naturally without compromising their delicate texture.
• Refrigeration Technique: After initial cooling, transfer the candies to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. This method helps maintain their firm structure and extends their edible lifespan for up to 10 days.
• Layer Protection Tip: When stacking candies in storage containers, insert parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve their beautiful individual shapes. Gentle separation ensures each piece remains pristine.
• Freezing Option: For long-term storage, carefully pack the candies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Frozen Pecan Vanilla Delights can last up to 3 months when sealed properly, providing a sweet treat for future enjoyment.

Heavenly Pecan Vanillas Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade pecan vanilla delights sparkle with southern charm and refined sweetness. Nutty pecans and delicate vanilla create a delectable dessert you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 package (311 grams / 11 oz) vanilla or white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli recommended)
• 2 cups (240 grams) chopped pecans
• 7 oz (198 grams) evaporated milk
• ¼ cup (57 grams) butter, cubed
• 4 oz (113 grams) marshmallow creme
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Line cookie sheets with waxed paper, creating a smooth canvas for candy crafting and cooling.
2. Candy Base: In a heavy saucepan, merge granulated sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring consistently until the mixture reaches a vigorous boil. Reduce heat and maintain a gentle bubble for 8 minutes, creating a rich, caramelized foundation.
3. Melding Flavors: Introduce vanilla chips and marshmallow creme into the hot mixture. Whisk energetically until the chips dissolve completely, transforming the blend into a silky, uniform confection. Remove from heat, ensuring a perfectly smooth texture.
4. Finishing Touch: Fold in vanilla extract and finely chopped pecans, distributing the nutty essence and aromatic notes throughout the candy. Stir thoroughly to guarantee an even, delectable mixture.
5. Cooling and Shaping: Allow the confection to rest for 23 minutes, periodically checking its consistency. If the mixture becomes too firm, gently incorporate additional evaporated milk to maintain its luxurious texture. Using a tablespoon, carefully deposit uniform rounds onto the prepared waxed paper.
6. Setting: Leave the candies undisturbed at room temperature, allowing them to solidify completely over several hours, creating delicate, melt-in-your-mouth Pecan Vanilla Delights.

Notes

• Precision in Heat Control: Maintaining consistent medium-low heat prevents sugar from burning and ensures smooth candy texture.
• Continuous Stirring Technique: Constant whisking prevents mixture from sticking and creates uniform candy consistency.
• Strategic Cooling Strategy: Allow candies to set at room temperature for optimal texture, avoiding refrigeration which can cause unwanted crystallization.
• Textural Troubleshooting: If mixture becomes too firm, carefully add small amounts of evaporated milk to restore creamy smoothness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 267
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 38 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg