Chinese Five Spice Candied Pecans

Next time you are looking for a little “something-something” to add to a cookie platter, a cheese board or to a cute jar as a hostess gift, look no further.  These Chinese Five Spice Candied Pecans are your answer.  The only drawback, they get gobbled up VERY quickly! 

But seriously, people just can’t stop eating these – it’s kinda funny.  To quote someone who has had them “They’re like Monica’s candy – little drops of Heaven.” (“Friends” reference, I can recite nearly every line from memory 🤣 )  I mean come on, how could you go wrong here:

Sugary crunchy pecans ✔

Ginger ✔

Cinnamon ✔

Star anise ✔

Fennel ✔

Cloves ✔

Now, you may be saying to yourself, “I have a jar a Chinese Five Spice and there’s no ginger and it has pepper???”  Don’t fret.  I have two jars myself, and one has ginger and one has pepper; pretty hard to tell the difference if you ask me. 🤷🏼  There are few different combinations of spices that can make up Chinese Five Spice.  Either way, both pepper and ginger give you that spicy heat you are looking for.  You are good to go!  

Did I also mention how UNBELIEVABLY easy these are to make? I mean crazy easy. Here’s how to make Chinese Five Spice Candied Pecans…

How to make Chinese Five Spice Candied Pecans

Preheat the oven to 250° – that’s right, these babies are getting cooked low and slow.  You need to cook them on low so the sugar doesn’t burn and all of these amazing flavors have time to develop.  Into a medium-large mixing bow, add in and egg white and some water.  Time to break out your hand mixer.

The only other time I ever use it that I can think of is when I make my Banana Nut Bread, but it is there when I need it, plus they don’t break the bank to buy one – score!

Whip up the egg white/water mixture, whip it up until it is good and frothy, like this…

Then add in the pecans and stir well to evenly coat everything, this is the glue for your sugar and Five Spice.

Next, add in the sugar and Chinese Five Spice, stir, stir, and stir a little more.  Now get them onto a parchment lined baking sheet and you are ready to go.  I used a 1/2 sheet sized baking sheet and they fit just perfectly.  These are my fave baking sheets! USA Baking Pans – They are awesome and last forever and I love the grooves on them so the heat circulates well.  

Pop them into the oven and stir them around every 10-15 minutes.  As they get closer to end of the cooking time, they will start sticking together a bit and start getting crunchy. 😋  Just tap your spoon on them to break them up and then stir. Once they are finished cooking, remove from the oven and let them cool.  If you eat one fresh out of the oven they will seem a bit chewy, but once they cool, they will be crunchy! 

Lastly, all that is left is to hide some on the side for yourself 😉 and put the rest into bowl to serve.  Hey…you slaved over a hot oven for these, chef’s treat! 👩🏻‍🍳 Enjoy!!

 

❤️, 👑🐝