A candied pecan crunch to finish doughnuts with sparkle and crunch. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes enough for 12 doughnuts.
Candied Pecan Crunch
Baking
Frostings fillings toppings
Origin: Madagascar
Vanilla: Extract
Easy
A candied pecan crunch to finish doughnuts with sparkle and crunch. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works. Makes enough for 12 doughnuts.
Prep
5 min
Cook
8 min
Cool
20 min
Total
33 min
Yield
12 doughnuts
Diet
—
Ingredients
Adjust yield
doughnuts
Ingredient amounts change with yield. Follow the recipe instructions for times, temperatures, and equipment.
- 1.0 cup (100.0 g)pecan halves
- ¼ cup (53.0 g)light brown sugar, packed
- 1.0 tbsp (14.0 g)unsalted butter
- 1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)water
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml)VanillaGoods pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ tspfine sea salt
Make it at home
- Must-have HULISEN Round Cutter Set Sharp stainless rounds for doughnuts and holes. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
- Makes it easier Taylor Candy & Deep-Fry Thermometer Clips to the pot so you can watch the sugar or oil climb without guessing. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
- Worth the upgrade Lodge 6-Qt Enameled Dutch Oven Heavy enough to hold an even frying temperature. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the brown sugar, water, and salt, stirring until bubbling.
- Add the nuts and cook, stirring, until the syrup thickens and coats them, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the vanilla.
- Spread on the parchment in a single layer and cool completely, about 20 minutes.
- Chop coarsely and press onto freshly glazed or frosted doughnuts.
Tips
- Vanilla swap: use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
- Best vanilla for this: Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.
- Storage: Store airtight for up to 1 week.
Recipe FAQ
How long does it take to make candied pecan crunch?
Plan on 5 minutes of prep and 8 minutes of cooking, plus 20 minutes to cool. It makes enough for 12 doughnuts.
How should I store candied pecan crunch?
Store airtight for up to 1 week.
Can I use a different form of vanilla?
use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
Estimated · per serving
Nutrition
Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.
83
Calories / serving
6.9g
Fat
5.5g
Carbs
0.8g
Protein
4.6g
Sugar
Whole recipe (12 servings): ~996 cal · 83g fat · 66g carbs · 10g protein · 55g sugar
Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.
Per serving · 83 calories
What it takes to burn one serving
- Brisk walking 16 min·0.9 mi·~1850 steps
- Walking uphill or incline treadmill 11 min·0.6 mi·~1100 steps
- Moderate cycling 8 min·1.6 mi
- Swimming laps 12 min
- Jogging 8 min·0.7 mi·~1300 steps
- Stair climbing 8 min·~700 steps
- Dancing 13 min
- Bodyweight circuit training 8 min
- Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 19 min
Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.
Made with VanillaGoods
Recipe Rating
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