With March Madness behind us and May fast approaching, what is on the minds of folks from the Bluegrass State? Derby Day, of course. And… just maybe… a batch of Bourbon Spiced Pecans.
The Kentucky Derby is run the first Saturday in May. With spring blossoming across the state, dressing the landscape in its Sunday best, it’s no wonder that many take pause to celebrate. And those celebrations extend well beyond horse-racing. The Kentucky Derby festival includes a parade, a steamboat race, the Great Balloon Race, an enormous fireworks display, and more.
Just A Taste of Kentucky Hospitality…
So what does that mean to someone who likes to cook? A perfect occasion to indulge in the unique flavors of the Bluegrass State.
Like with most celebrations, there is no scarcity of recipe traditions linked to The Kentucky Derby. I have a collection of Kentucky cookbooks and most include recipes suggestions for Derby Day. These recipes include variations on Kentucky Burgoo, Hot Browns, Country Ham with Biscuits, Cheese Grits, and Mint Juleps. They also include Bluegrass Pie, Thoroughbred Pie or other euphemistic desserts intended to produce a pie at least similar to the famous Kern’s Kitchen Derby Pie, and much like Aunt Hen’s Brownie Pie.
…in Bourbon Spiced Pecans
All delicious, these recipes can easily seem like too much for a smaller take on Derby Day at my adopted home in the Pacific Northwest. Still, I crave at least a small reminder to mark the season even if I am not attending an official Derby Day celebration.
Bourbon Spiced Pecans is just the thing for introducing a touch of Kentucky hospitality to any occasion. Clipped from a newspaper some years ago, this easy recipe can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container. Served as a snack these tasty nibbles offer an interesting mixture of sugar and spice that reflects the flavors of the region.
Bourbon Spiced Pecans
Course: Appetizers, Snacks4
cups30
minutes1
hourThese tasty pecan nibbles offer an interesting mixture of sugar and spice that reflects the unique charm of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region.
Ingredients
3 ounces bourbon (6 Tablespoons)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound pecan halves (4 cups)
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Directions
- Simmer the bourbon in a small saucepan to reduce it by half, to 3 Tablespoons.
- In a bowl, combine the warm bourbon, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and oil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Blanch the pecans in the boiling water for one minute. Drain the pecans. Add the hot pecans to the bourbon mixture and toss. Let stand for 10 minutes.
- Spread the nuts on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour any of the remaining bourbon mixture in the bowl over them.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring the nuts every 10 minutes. When the nuts are lightly browned and the liquid has evaporated, remove the nuts from the oven and transfer them to a clean bowl.
- Combine the cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper and cumin, mixing well. Sprinkle this mixture over the nuts and toss.
- Transfer the nuts to a clean nonstick baking sheet and allow them to cool and dry. Break up any clumps and store in an airtight container.
- Enjoy!
Could you replace oil with butter?
Yes. Though I’ve never tried it, I think butter would work in this recipe. It should melt into the warm bourbon mixture to coat the nuts just as the oil would. My only concern would be that the butter might burn. Watch the nuts carefully near the end of baking and remove them from the oven when they are lightly browned.
I make these nuts every year as a stocking stuffer for my husband. He loves them. Way better than the usual candied pecans. Thank you
These are sooo amazingly good. We make sugared nuts every year at Christmas time and I changed it up this year. I will be making these all the time now. Thanks so much!!!
Whiskey should work just fine in this recipe.
Could you use whiskey instead of bourbon?
Anonymous – The taste of these nuts is sweet, but with a bite. You can crank up or tone down the bite, if you like, by varying the amount of cayenne and black pepper added.
Is the taste sweet or hot?
These sound really good! I have had the really sweet ones but never pecans like this. These would be great at a Barbecue party.
what a tasty nosh! i have a recipe for a cookie bar with ingredients like chocolate, coconut, pecans, and bourbon–they're amazing and these make me think of (and pine for) them!
Oh my goodness these pecans look fantastic! I can't believe it's almost time for the Derby once again!
Hope you are having a nice weekend. 🙂