Salted Caramel Peanut Pecan Candy

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Somewhere between salted caramel and peanut brittle, we made our new favorite fall candy! This Salted Caramel Peanut Pecan candy has everything you’d want in a cozy fall treat! Crunchy roasted nuts, pecans, and rich caramel-flavored candy are finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The best part is how the flavors come together. It’s buttery, sweet, and salty magic. 

A mixture of brown sugar, granulated sugar, and corn syrup bubbles together on the stovetop before some butter, vanilla, and nuts are mixed into the gooey caramel. It comes together into a soft, firm candy that sets on the sheet pan before it is cracked into irregular, bite-sized pieces. Flaky sea salt adds a little burst of salt to each bite that balances the rich sweetness of the Caramel candy. The end result is essentially a peanut patty candy but with a deeper brown sugar flavor, and the addition of pecans adds an extra buttery flavor. 

We have to admit that fall baking gets all the attention, but we are here to give candy a moment to shine. It feels special, is made in one batch, and is perfect for almost any occasion this fall or winter. Make it for a holiday party, snack board, or whenever you want to have a different fall bake that doesn’t require multiple batches. 

We know that candy may seem intimidating to some who haven’t made it before or have had many failed attempts. We’ve been there too!  But don’t worry about this – we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t for this recipe, and we’ll walk you through it, step by step!

Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Peanut Pecan Candy

• Sweet, salty, and nutty! Salted caramel is an amazing flavor combination by itself, but when you add the subtle nuttiness of peanuts and pecans to the mix, it creates the coziest treat.
• Perfect for anything from a snack board to gifting. Candy is a fun, out-of-the-box treat that is fitting for so many settings. It’s great alongside a cheeseboard, a sweet holiday treat, or packaged in baggies and given to friends and family.
• No baking required! It’s one batch, and no baking is required. You just have to heat everything in a pot over the stove and wait for it to set and harden!

How to Make This Salted Caramel Peanut Pecan Candy, Step by Step

Step 1. Slowly heat sugars, water, and salt in a saucepan.

The key with candy is to not rush the process. It is something that takes patience to get the result you want. Start by heating the sugars with some corn syrup and water. 

Stir the mixture just until the sugar starts to dissolve. Place a candy thermometer on the edge of the pan. 

To get the most accurate temperature, make sure it is dipping below the surface of the syrup mixture without touching the bottom of the pan.  sure that it is in the syrup mixture but isn’t touching the bottom of the pan. 

Let the mixture bubble and slowly heat to a temperature of 250-253°F. This is a little higher than a typical soft candy, but the brown sugar takes longer to cook off. We’ve found that this temperature range is best to get a soft texture without reaching hard crack temperature.

Step 2. Mix in butter, vanilla, and the nut mixture. Spread the mixture onto a sheet pan.

As soon as the mixture reaches temperature, stir in 4 tablespoons of butter until it has melted completely. It is important to be gentle with the mixture here.  Next, stir in vanilla, pecans, and peanuts until evenly mixed. 

Line a jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Make sure to lightly grease the parchment paper with some butter before pouring the hot candy mixture onto the pan. 

Pour the nutty caramel mixture onto the sheet pan. Work quickly to spread the liquid out into an even layer. Also make sure the nuts are spread in a single layer so that the candy can coat all the nut pieces.

Step 3. Let it set for at least 2 hours to harden. 

Let the candy set at room temperature for at least two hours. Depending on the temperature and humidity in your kitchen, the set time could vary widely. Our batch took close to 24 hours to set completely. 

We do not recommend putting it in the fridge. Be patient and let the candy set completely before cracking. As the mixture sets, it will start to lighten up a bit. 

If the edges are still a deep caramel brown color, give the candy additional time to set. 

Step 4. Break the hardened candy into pieces. 

Once the entire sheet of candy has hardened, use your hands to break the candy into irregular-shaped bite-sized pieces. Store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge.

Tips for Making Salted Caramel Peanut Pecan Candy

• A candy thermometer will be your best friend! A candy thermometer will be able to accurately read the temperature so that you know when to remove the candy from the heat. Attach the thermometer to the side of the saucepan, making sure the tip is submerged in the candy but not touching the bottom of the pan, which can give you an inaccurate reading. 
• The sugar mixture needs to reach 250-253°F. This is higher than most patty candies recommend, but the brown sugar adds extra moisture that needs more time to cook off. 
• Measure add-ins before the sugar mixture reaches temperature. Have peanuts, pecans, butter, and vanilla ready to go before you begin cooking. Once the candy reaches temperature, you will have to work quickly. 
• Spread the candy into an even layer. After stirring in the nuts, butter, and vanilla, immediately pour the mixture onto parchment paper. Quickly spread it in an even layer so that it sets evenly.
• Patience is key! Candy is an easy process, but it takes time. Depending on the humidity, the candy may take anywhere from 2-24 hours to harden completely. Leave it at room temperature and avoid refrigerating to speed up the process. Rapid temperature changes and condensation can affect the texture and end result. 

How to store Salted Caramel Pecan Candy

Break the candy into bite-sized pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Store the candy in a cool, dry place, avoiding humid areas.

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