Easy Candied Pecans

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecan halves (6 oz)
• 6 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tbsp water, plus more as needed
• 2 tsp orange zest (optional)
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Steps

1. Get a pan ready. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat for cooling.
2. Make the glaze. Put the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, water, orange zest and cayenne in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir until the sugar melts into a bubbling sauce, about 1 minute.
3. Coat the nuts. Stir in the pecans and keep stirring the whole time until they look shiny and candied and smell toasty, 2 to 3 minutes. Watch closely so they don't burn. If the glaze turns thick and grainy, add a teaspoon or two of water and keep stirring.
4. Cool. Spread the pecans in one layer on the lined sheet, let them cool, then break them apart.