Orange Pecan Gems Recipes

ORANGE-SUGARED PECANS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water and orange juice concentrate. Cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and orange zest. , Beat until mixture thickens and loses its gloss, about 2 minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper to set. Store in an airtight container.

ORANGE PECANS

Steps:

• Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Bring first 3 ingredients to boil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 30 seconds. Stir in pecans. Spread pecans on waxed paper. Cool completely. Separate pecans if necessary. (Can be prepared up to 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container.)

ORANGE PECAN GEM COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease baking sheets.
• Combine cake mix, yogurt, egg, butter, and chopped pecans in a large bowl.
• Beat at low speed with electric mixer until blended.
• Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on prepared baking sheets.
• Press a pecan half into the center of each cookie.
• Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Cool for 1 minute on baking sheets, then remove to cooling racks and cool completely.
• Store in airtight container. Makes 4 1/2 - 5 dozen cookies.

ORANGE AND CINNAMON CRUSTED PECANS

Steps:

• In a deep saucepan, combine the sugar, water, orange zest, and cinnamon and bring to a boil. Add the pecans and simmer, stirring, as the water evaporates. The glaze will be shiny and transparent at first, then turn opaque, and crystallize as the water cooks away.
• When the nuts are completely coated with sugar crystals, they are done. Spread them out on a sheet pan to cool. (To wash the saucepan, soak it overnight.)

ORANGE-PECAN GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put oats, flakes, sugar, nuts, zest, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Melt butter with honey in a saucepan over low heat; stir into oat mixture.
• Spread mixture in a 7-by-11-inch baking pan; bake until just golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool in pan (mixture will harden). Break cooled mixture into large chunks.

JOHN'S ORANGE PRALINE PECANS

Steps:

• Line 12 muffin cups with square sheets of waxed paper.
• Heat white sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, and frozen orange juice concentrate together in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat; cook and stir until sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir vanilla extract into the sugar mixture. Fold pecan pieces through the mixture. Cook without stirring until the mixture reaches a temperature of 235 degrees F (113 degrees C), 5 to 10 minutes; remove from heat immediately.
• Stir candy mixture until it begins to turn opaque and stiff but can still be spooned easily; spoon into prepared muffin cups.
• Cool pralines completely before serving.

ORANGE PECAN CAKE

Steps:

• Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter or margarine, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs, then add vanilla, sour cream, and orange rind. Beat the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the pecans. Pour the batter into a greased and floured tube pan.
• In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, the orange juice, and the liqueur.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until it tests done with a toothpick. Pour the orange juice mixture over the hot cake. Transfer to a rack to cool.

ORANGE PECAN COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, orange juice and zest. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in pecans. Shape dough into two 11-1/2-in. rolls; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. , Unwrap; cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

ORANGE PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300ºF.
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat. Add orange peel, cinnamon, coriander, cloves and cayenne and stir until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
• Add pecans, then sugar and salt and stir to coat evenly. Transfer nut mixture to baking sheet.
• Bake until nuts are toasted, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Cool. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature).