SUGAR SPICED PECANS

An easy candy to make at home are these spiced pecans, ever so popular in the 1920s when people made their own candy.

1 pound Georgia pecan halves\
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Lightly butter a heat proof serving platter or tray.

Place the pecans on a butter-sprayed baking pan and place in the oven to toast 10 minutes (shake frequently about every 5 minutes).

Remove the pan from the oven and set aside.

Place the sugar, water, cinnamon, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan. Place the pan over medium-high heat, and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a syrup that spins a small thread when you pull the spoon from the syrup, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

Fold in toasted pecans and vanilla. Stir quickly to combine nuts and syrup. Quickly pour mixture onto the prepared platter. With a spoon quickly, but carefully, separate the nuts. Let nuts cool until syrup has set. Store in a tightly closed tin or plastic container.

Yields: 16 servings
Recipe Source: Georgia Pecan Commission