Our Favorite Springtime and Easter Pecan Recipes
With the United States currently caught in the midst of winter’s last gasp, people all over the country look to Spring for some welcome warmth. Do you know what else comes with Spring? More fantastic celebrations! That’s why we wanted to take some time in today’s blog post to share with you some amazing Easter pecan recipes perfect for springtime! You know we’re the pecan recipe kings. Whether it’s vegan recipes or unexpected recipes - you can find all your best pecan recipes right here at Delightful Pecans.
Why We Love Easter
The coming of Easter means it’s time to celebrate spring. We’re joining in on the jubilations with some of our favorite Easter pecan recipes. But why do we love Easter so much? And what does Easter mean to Americans? Let’s take a quick tour of one of America’s favorite holidays. Here are some fun facts you may or may not have known about Easter:
Easter is the most important Christian holiday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
The date of Easter varies each year and is determined by the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox, which is usually March 21.
In 2022, Easter Sunday fell on April 17th, while in 2021, it was on April 4th. This year it lands on April 9th.
According to the National Retail Federation is the fourth biggest shopping holiday in the United States after Christmas, Back-to-School, and Mother's Day.
In the US, the average person spent $179.70 on Easter-related expenses in 2021, including candy, gifts, decorations, and food.
The Easter Bunny, a symbol of the holiday, is said to bring Easter eggs and treats to children who have been good.
In many countries, including the United States, Easter is associated with the tradition of decorating and hunting for Easter eggs, which can be dyed, painted, or filled with candy or small toys.
In some countries, such as Greece and Russia, Easter is celebrated with special foods and traditions, such as feasts, dances, and parades.
According to the National Confectioners Association, Americans consume an estimated 16 billion jellybeans at Easter, and 90 million chocolate bunnies are made each year for the holiday in the US alone.
In addition to its religious significance, Easter also marks the beginning of spring and the end of the Lenten season for many Christians.
While pecans are a popular ingredient in many Easter desserts and dishes such as pecan pie or as a topping for glazed ham, the consumption of pecans during Easter is likely to vary widely among individuals and households. While we would love for everyone to have a taste for pecans, that isn’t always the case.
That being said, according to the National Pecan Shellers Association, pecans are the second most popular nut in the US after almonds, with an estimated 251 million pounds consumed annually. However, this consumption is not specific to the Easter holiday.
Now, what are we waiting for? Let’s have a look at a couple of our favorite Easter pecan recipes!
Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Pecan Flakes
This is one of those recipes that will have your entire family coming back for more. They’re soft, tender, and perfectly moist, and their sweet, spiced flavor is absolutely perfect. The cream cheese frosting and crunchy chopped pecans represent the chef’s kiss for this amazing cupcake. This is a must-have recipe!
Ingredients
Cupcakes
1 1/4 cups (178g) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups finely shredded carrots (from about 4 medium carrots)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup of chopped pecans
Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, nearly at room temperature
8 oz of cream cheese, nearly at room temperature
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Carrot Decoration
50 g Marzipan (about 1/4 cup)
Orange gel food coloring
Cocoa powder (I used Dutch processed)
12 small curly parsley stems
Instructions
Step One
For the cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk the together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and set it aside.
Step Two
In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and brown sugar, then add eggs and using an electric hand mixer, blend the mixture on low speed for 30 seconds, until slightly pale.
Step Three
Mix in applesauce and vanilla extract. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour in vegetable oil and mix until combined, then mix for 20 seconds longer.
Step Four
Mix in half of the dry ingredients, then pour the shredded carrots into the bowl with the remaining flour mixture and toss in the flour mixture to coat the carrots (don’t worry if they clump a bit). Then pour the carrot mixture into the batter and blend until evenly combined.
Step Five
Pour the batter into paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean, about 19 - 21 minutes. Cool in a muffin tin for several minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
Step Six
For the frosting: Using an electric mixer whip together butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract.
Step Seven
With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add powdered sugar and beat until well blended and smooth*. Frost cupcakes with cream cheese frosting then immediately roll the edges of the frosting in chopped pecans.
Step Eight
For the optional carrot decoration: Tint marzipan with orange gel coloring and knead to evenly incorporate color. Separate small pieces at a time (I did 4g carrots) then roll into carrot shapes (roll a tapered log shape).
Step Nine
Dip a toothpick lightly in cocoa powder, shaking off excess then gently roll the carrot across the toothpick (in random places) while slightly rotating to make slight indentations (to give it that natural look).
Step Ten
Poke a small hole in the top of each carrot and insert parsley. Gently press carrots into the frosting on the tops of the cupcakes.
Trust us, these cupcakes are real people-pleasers. Are you ready to be the talk of your neighborhood Easter celebration? Then make these cupcakes. So, what’s next? Trust us, you’re gonna love it! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Allow them to rest at room temperature until no longer cold before serving.
Chocolate Turtle Easter Eggs
Do these not sound amazing, or what? This recipe makes it easy to make your own Easter treats at home this year with no candy-making experience needed! These chocolate turtle eggs are filled with a rich, creamy, and sweet caramel pecan filling. Top it with sprinkles for extra fun! These are the types of Easter treats that will, quite literally, melt in your mouth. You must be itching to know how to make these delicious treats. Well, here we go!
Ingredients
7 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers
5 ounces soft caramels
2 tablespoons heavy cream, or whole milk
1/3 cup of chopped pecans
Optional Decorations
1 ounce of white chocolate melting wafers
confetti sprinkles
nonpareil sprinkles
Instructions
Step One
Place candy mold onto a stiff baking sheet (for ease of transferring to and from the refrigerator).
Step Two
In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat melting wafers in 30-second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until the wafers are melted and smooth.
Step Three
Add a spoonful of melted chocolate to each egg mold. Use a spoon to brush the chocolate up the sides of the egg mold until evenly coated. If needed, add a second coat to the sides of your egg mold, filling in any holes or thin areas. Transfer to the refrigerator for 10 minutes to harden them.
Step Four
Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, add soft caramels and heavy cream. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Stir in the pecans, then remove from the heat.
Step Five
Remove egg mold from refrigerator. Distribute caramel filling evenly between your egg molds, gently patting down into an even layer. Leave about ⅛" of space at the top of your mold to fill in with chocolate.
Step Six
Top each egg mold with remaining chocolate (reheat as needed in the microwave if chocolate has solidified) and spread into an even layer. Return the tray to the refrigerator and allow it to chill for 20 minutes.
Step Seven
Remove the eggs from the molds. Optionally, swirl the tops of the eggs with melted white chocolate wafers and sprinkles.
You simply can’t go wrong with these amazing Chocolate Turtle Easter Eggs. The kids will be giggling with delight when you unveil them at your Easter Egg hunt. Are you ready to be the Easter hero with these two amazing recipes? Well, don’t let us stop you. Get to bakin’!