Chefs Share Pecan Dessert Recipes To Please Your Sweet Tooth
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Whether you’re a fan of nutty pies or mouth-melting pralines, pecans are one of the go-to ingredients that can be added to any dessert recipe. The crunch and the buttery undertones of pecans are sure to make your favourite desserts even more sumptuous. Also, since people with a sweet tooth are always on the lookout for healthier ingredients to add to their desserts, adding nuts is always a great option.

Since pecans support cognitive functions, boost cardiovascular health, and also modulate the functioning of the digestive system, you must try adding the nuts to your diet. On behalf of American Pecans, renowned chefs Meghna Kamdar and Neha Deepak Shah have curated some lip-smacking dessert recipes that are sure to leave you wanting more.

Apple and Pecan Donuts By Chef Meghna Kamdar

Ingredients:

  • A handful of American pecans
  • Apples as required
  • 250 gm dark chocolate
  • Peanut butter for the filling

Method:

  1. Take American pecan nuts and dry roast them.
  2. Coarsely chop and keep aside.
  3. Cut apples into thick, round slices.
  4. Remove the centre so that you can donut-shaped apple slices.
  5. Melt dark chocolate.
  6. Now dip apple slices in the melted chocolate.
  7. Immediately drizzle some peanut butter & chopped roasted pecans.
  8. Keep these in the fridge; you can have these for 1-2 days.

No Sugar Pecan Nut Dates Bar By Chef Meghna Kamdar

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup American pecans
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • Peanut butter
  • Virgin coconut oil or butter
  • Maple syrup
  • Pinch of salt
  • 12-13 soft dates

Method:

To make the pecan nut base:

  1. Take a cup of American pecans & dry roast them.
  2. Similarly, take a cup of oats & dry roast them, and mix with pecan nuts.
  3. In the grinder, add roasted pecan nuts and oats and grind them.
  4. In a bowl, add the ground mixture and take two tablespoons of peanut butter
  5. Add a spoonful of virgin coconut oil (or one tbsp melted butter as an alternative to oil).
  6. Add 2-3 tbsp maple syrup (substitute Honey or Jaggery Powder) and a pinch of salt, and mix everything well.
  7. Set it on a lined tray and your nut base will be ready.

To make Dates caramel:

  1. Take soft dates and add some warm water.
  2. Make a smooth paste and spread it over the pecan mixture.
  3. Put it in the fridge to set for an hour.
  4. Garnish with roasted nuts and enjoy.

Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies By Chef Neha Deepak Shah

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup chopped American pecans
  • 1 Cup maida
  • 50 grams caster sugar
  • 50 grams brown sugar (smallest granules)
  • 75 grams soft salted butter
  • ½ tsp vanilla essence
  • 2 tbsp cold milk
  • ¼ tsp baking soda (mix it with the flour)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 75 grams dark & milk chocolate (chopped into chunks or chocolate chips)
  • Some flaky sea salt (optional)

Method: 

  1. Mix butter, brown sugar, caster sugar, and vanilla essence.
  2. Gradually incorporate milk and continue to cream the mixture using an electric beater. 
  3. Blend in the flour thoroughly, then add pecans, milk, and dark chocolate, ensuring a well-combined dough.
  4. Shape small portions of the dough into cookies and adorn them with additional pecans and chocolate.
  5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes.
  6. After baking, allow the cookies to cool before indulging in their delightful taste.