28 Best Pecan Recipes for Crunchy, Nutty Goodness
The pecan pie cheesecake is the best of both worlds! 🤤
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Pecans—which, by the way, do you pronounce pecan as "pea-can" or "puh-con"?—have a nutty flavor and heavenly crunch that's full of possibilities. Baked into classic Thanksgiving pies and Christmas cakes, tossed into salads, or used in breakfast casseroles, this roundup of pecan recipes will show you how to use the favorite nut every which way.
If you're searching for the perfect holiday dessert, you've come to the right place. Pecans find their way into delicious cheesecake recipes, classic Christmas cookies, and holiday treats galore. Some of the recipes you'll find here like the pecan pralines, candied pecans, and pretzel turtles even make the perfect homemade food gift for Christmas! Of course, these sweets aren't just for the holidays. Whip up Ree Drummond's favorite pecan pie (which she has aptly dubbed, "the Pie That'll Make You Cry") anytime of year or dive into one of the chocolate desserts topped with nuts in this roundup. Looking for something lighter? Pecans add a nutty flavor and crunchy texture in all kinds of salads, pasta dishes, and roasted vegetables. Stock up on plenty of pecans during your next trip to the supermarket and whip up something new!
Christmas Rum Cake
It isn't the holidays without this festive rum cake! The pecans baked into the top of the cake are heavenly, but the buttery rum glaze may just be the best party.
Get the Christmas Rum Cake recipe.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Now you don't have to choose between slices of pecan pie or cheesecake—this dessert has both! It makes a show-stopping addition to any holiday menu.
Get the Pecan Pie Cheesecake recipe.
Nutella Krispie Treats
These loaded cereal treats are a chocolate lover's dream snack! Pecans, mini marshmallows, and a drizzle of chocolate prove to be the perfect toppers.
Get Ree's Nutella Krispie Treats recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole
This casserole is the easiest way to feed a crowd breakfast! It's made with refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, but there's a few other ingredients that make it feel special.
Get Ree's Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Carrot Cake Cheesecake
With carrot cake on the bottom and cheesecake on the top, this dessert is a slice of heaven. The carrot cake is studded with crunchy chopped pecans, but save some to decorate the top too!
Get the Carrot Cake Cheesecake recipe.
Chocolate Pecan Pie
If you're a big fan of classic pecan pie, take this chocolaty version for a spin. With dark chocolate chips and cocoa powder, it may just become your new favorite.
Get the Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe.
7-Layer Cookies
These magical bars have everything you want in a dessert: pecans, chocolate, butterscotch, coconut, and condensed milk, all layered in a graham cracker crust.
Get the 7-Layer Cookies recipe.
Sigrid's Carrot Cake
This spiced layer cake wouldn't be the same without a heavy sprinkle of crunchy, chopped pecans on top. This classic dessert is scrumptious any time of year.
Get Ree's Sigrid's Carrot Cake recipe.
Candied Pecans
You won't be able to stop at just one handful of these pecans! Coated in a cinnamon-spiced sugar mixture and baked until crispy, they're irresistible.
Get the Candied Pecans recipe.
Sticky Buns
For a sweet start to the day, whip up these sticky buns! The drippy sauce gets poured into the bottom of the pan and the buns are baked on top. Once they're done, the pan is flipped onto a serving plate and all that rich, buttery sauces comes oozing out.
Get the Sticky Buns recipe.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
This recipe transforms sweet potatoes by baking them twice and topping them with buttery oat and pecan crumbs. A little hot honey and cayenne pepper add the tiniest bit of spice that helps balance out all that sweetness.
Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Pecan Pie
Everyone needs a classic pecan pie in their recipe box and this simple version is just that! It's a crowd pleasing addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert table.
Get Ree's Pecan Pie recipe.
Pretzel Turtles
When you need a sweet treat in record time, pull out this recipe. Sweet, salty, and chocolaty, these pretzel turtles require only four ingredients and are ready in 15 minutes!
Get Ree's Pretzel Turtles recipe.
German Chocolate Cake
This two-layered stunner is pure decadence. Between the rich chocolate cake, the coconut pecan filling, and the chocolate buttercream, this dessert leaves nothing to be desired!
Get the German Chocolate Cake recipe.
Roasted Vegetables with Pecan Crumble
You love a pecan crumble on cobblers and crisps, but have you ever thought about giving your roasted veggies the same treatment? This autumn side dish is one you'll make again and again (and again).
Get Ree's Roasted Vegetables with Pecan Crumble recipe.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Toasted pecans are one of the best ingredients you can toss in fresh green salads. Paired with other toppers like strawberries, oranges, and goat cheese, they add wonderful nutty flavor and crunch.
Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
This mile-high cheesecake is the ultimate autumn dessert! Pecans make up the crumbly crust and crunchy topping. Make it the day before you plan to serve it so it has plenty of time to chill in the fridge.
Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe.
Pecan Sandies
These old-fashioned treats are just as delicious as you remember. Buttery, crumbly, and studded with crunchy pecans, they're a crowd-pleasing cookie to make for holiday cookie swaps.
Get the Pecan Sandies recipe.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow
Some people like sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows and others enjoy it with a crunchy pecan topping. The good news is that this casserole has both!
Cranberry-Pecan Cheese Ball
The ultimate holiday appetizer, this cheese ball is easy, impressive, and exceedingly tasty. After all, your food processor does all the hard work. It can be made up to eight hours in advance.
Get Ree's Cranberry-Pecan Cheese Ball recipe.
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