This is my fourth or fifth try at making candied pecans that taste buttery and sweet but are still crunchy like the Costco candied pecans we can no longer get. I ended up using eggs whites, a small amount of melted butter and mostly white sugar to keep the crisp texture.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) pecan halves
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar and salt, set aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the egg white and water. Whisk until the mixture is very foamy.
4. Whisk in the vanilla, set aside.
5. Place pecans in large bowl.
6. Pour egg-white mixture over pecans and toss until pecans are lightly coated.
7. Pour in the melted and cooled butter and toss again until evenly distributed.
8. Add the sugar mixture and toss again until pecans are evenly coated.
9. Spread the pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
10. Bake at 250°F for 40-50 minutes, turning and stirring the pecans every 10 minutes. When turning them, separate any large clusters so the nuts bake and dry evenly.
11. Cool completely then store in air tight container.