The minute fall rolls around, many of us find ourselves searching for pecan recipes. Rich and buttery pecans add crunch and depth of flavor to many dishes. They pair wonderfully with our favorite autumnal flavors—like maple syrup, bourbon, chocolate, and even sweet potatoes—and are the perfect snack regardless of whether they’re raw or toasted. Below we’ve gathered our favorite recipes to help you cook with this luxuriously rich nut, including old-fashioned pecan pie, an icebox cake, cookies, and even fudge. But not all pecan recipes are sweet, and in addition to our favorite desserts, you’ll find salads, cheese balls, and sweet potato dishes that call for the South’s favorite nut.
Not sure how to buy and store pecans? If you’re looking at nuts still in their shells, look for pecans with clean, unblemished, uncracked shells. Shake the pecan and listen closely—it shouldn’t rattle. Since pecans have a higher fat content than many other nuts, they’re more perishable. To keep them from spoiling, double-bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to three months or in the freezer up to six. Now, on to the recipes.
