Meringue Coated Pecans (aka Nannie's Swedish Nuts)

Marrying into a big family, I was blessed to also be the recipient of many family recipes. One that has become a Christmas-time tradition for us is making Nannie's Swedish Nuts to give to our friends, ministers, and other special folks in our life.

• 3½ Cups pecan halves (this usually fills up one LARGE cookie sheet)
• 1 Cup Sugar
• pinch of salt
• 2 beaten egg whites
• 1/2 cup butter (or margarine)

Toast nuts at 300 degrees until brown.
Beat egg whites until they stand in peaks.
Fold in sugar and salt. Then fold nuts into the meringue mixture.
Melt butter in flat pan. Spread nuts over melted butter. Bake at 325 for 1/2 hour, stirring every 10 minutes until nuts are coated and all the butter is gone.
NANNIE'S NOTES: Watch or they will burn.
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I usually get on a roll early in December browning the pecans ahead of time, and separating them out in batch proportions so I can make a batch at the drop of a hat! I have found that pecans are most affordable at one of the warehouse clubs such as Sam's or Costco.

Enjoy!

~GailD~