Honey Vanilla Bourbon Pecans are sweet and savory with a subtle kick of unexpected flavor. Pecans are tossed in a simple vanilla bourbon mixture, baked until caramelized and tossed is demerara sugar which adds delicious texture!

honey vanilla bourbon pecans in a cream and brown bowl.

What can I possibly say about these sweet and savory nuts?

Besides, I love them. My kids love them. Even my husband said these are pretty damn good. I mean with ingredients like bourbon, vanilla and honey, how can it be bad, right? The best way I can describe the flavor is like sweet vanilla and caramel pecans with a hint of toffee and a secret ingredient that gives them a little extra something special.

And don’t say I didn’t warn you, they are deliciously addictive.

honey vanilla bourbon pecans in a bowl with wax paper.

Whether you serve these in a small bowl for light snacking before dinner, pair them with cheeses and meats on a charcuterie board or roughly chop and sprinkle over vanilla ice cream. These nuts are incredible. And take under 30 minutes to prepare.

Honey Vanilla Bourbon Pecans ingredients

To Make These Honey Vanilla Bourbon Pecans You Will Need:

  • honey
  • bourbon
  • vanilla
  • unsalted butter
  • garlic
  • pecans
  • demerara sugar (or sub with Turbinado sugar)
  • fine sea salt

honey, bourbon, vanilla, butter and garlic in saucepan.

Start by measuring 3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon bourbon, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons butter and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of grated garlic. I used the tube of fresh grated garlic because I cannon grate garlic fine enough on my microplane alone.

So, I know what you’re thinking. GARLIC? Yes! It adds an oh-so-subtle savoriness that works with the vanilla, honey and bourbon. I promise. Now if you want it super subtle, go with 1/4 teaspoon. Want the garlic to be a little more pronounced? Go with 1/2 teaspoon.

honey vanilla bourbon mixture

Stir over low heat until the butter has melted and ingredients are thoroughly combined.

pecans on a rimmed baking sheet.

Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃).

Add 1 pound pecans to a 9×13 rimmed baking sheet.

pour honey vanilla bourbon mixture over pecans

Pour the warm honey, vanilla and bourbon mixture over top.

toss to combine.

Tossing well to coat.

spread pecans evenly and bake

Spread evenly and bake for 6 minutes.

toss and repeat 2 more times.

Toss, and bake for an additional 6 minutes. Repeating this step 1 more time for a total of 18 minutes.

sticky honey vanilla bourbon pecans on sheet pan.

Remove and toss one last time.

sticky honey vanilla bourbon pecans on sheet pan.

The pecans should be toasted in spots and sticky.

demerara sugar and sea salt combined.

In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup demerara sugar and 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt.

What Is Demerara Sugar?

Demerara sugar is less refined, pale amber in color and has a fairly large grain. It is crystallized, partially evaporated sugar cane juice and then spun in a centrifuge to remove almost all of the molasses. Demerara Sugar has a toffee like flavor and is great sprinkled on top of bakery goods, oatmeal and nuts 😉.

What can be substituted for Demerara Sugar?

Turbinado or cane sugar. However these sugar grains may be smaller.

transfer the warm nuts to a bowl.

Transfer the glazed pecans to a bowl.

add in sugar mixture.

Add the sugar mixture to the bowl with the nuts.

toss the nuts in the sugar mixture.

Toss well to coat. The sugar mixture will stick to the glazed pecans adding sweetness and texture.

spread evenly to cool.

Spread the nuts out on a lined pan and let cool completely.

close up of honey vanilla bourbon pecans.

Once cool, add to a bowl and serve.

Sweet and crunchy, and the ever so subtle kick of garlic is absolutely incredible.

Click here For more nut recipes.

side view of Honey Vanilla Bourbon Pecans.

Enjoy! And if you give this Honey Vanilla Bourbon Pecans recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

scattered Honey Vanilla Bourbon Pecans on a white linen napkin.

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Yield: 16 servings

Honey Vanilla Bourbon Pecans

Honey Vanilla Bourbon Pecans are sweet and savory with a subtle kick of unexpected flavor. Pecans are tossed in a simple vanilla bourbon mixture, baked until caramelized and tossed is demerara sugar which adds delicious texture!

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 1 pound pecans
  • 1/4 cup demerara sugar, or sub with tubinado sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃).
  • In a small saucepan add the honey, bourbon, vanilla, butter and garlic paste. Heat on low, until the butter has melted. Stir until smooth.
  • Spread pecans on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the honey vanilla bourbon over top. Toss well to coat.
  • Bake on the middle rack for 6 minutes, remove toss and repeat this 2 more times. For a total of 18 minutes.
  • Combine the demerara sugar with the sea salt, stir to combine.
  • Transfer the sticky pecans to a bowl, add in the sugar mixture and toss well to combine.
  • Spread the nuts out onto a clean baking sheet and let cool completely.
  • Store in an air-tight container for up to a week or more.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 236kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 36mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g