Description
Get ready to fall in love with Ragtag Candies—a rustic Southern classic that brings together sweet caramel richness and crunchy pecans in every melt-in-your-mouth bite. These creamy, nut-studded confections are perfect for holiday gifts, dessert trays, or a sweet homemade treat. This easy recipe is ideal for those seeking quick desserts, sweet snack ideas, or old-fashioned candy with a modern twist. Whether you’re making them for guests or storing them for the week, these candies are sure to delight.
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups pecans, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
sea salt flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Stir constantly until the sugars dissolve and the mixture becomes smooth.
2. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan. Continue stirring while cooking the mixture until it reaches 238°F (soft ball stage).
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Immediately fold in the chopped pecans until fully combined.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the hot mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon.
5. Let the candies cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, or until firm. Garnish with sea salt flakes, if desired.
Notes
Be sure to use a candy thermometer to achieve perfect consistency; eyeballing it rarely works with candy.
Stir constantly to avoid scorching the bottom—burnt sugar will ruin the batch.
Add sea salt flakes only after cooling slightly to keep them from melting into the surface.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: easy recipe, candy, homemade gifts, sweet snacks, caramel, pecan candy