This pecan log roll recipe is a delicious no-bake dessert with a soft center and a delicious caramel and pecan coating.
These classic candies are ideal for holiday gift-giving.
Have you ever had that one food item that you always have to pick up when you visit a specific place? For me, it is a pecan log.
If we are ever near one of my favorite candy stores, Old Smoky Candy Kitchen, I have to pick up a pecan log without fail. You can usually find them at Cracker Barrel's Country Store too.
When I'm craving them though, and haven't had one in a while, I whip up a batch with this recipe.
Ingredients for Pecan Log Roll Recipe
- 2 teaspoons and a ½ cup butter divided and softened
- 3-¾ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup nonfat dry milk powder
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 package (14 ounces) of caramels
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 cups chopped pecans
How to make homemade pecan log rolls!
- Butter an 8-inch square pan with your 2 teaspoons of butter and set aside.
- Combine powdered sugar and milk powder and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the ½ cup butter, sugar, and light corn syrup.
- Stir until sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Stir in the powdered sugar and powdered milk mixture, a little at a time until blended.
- Remove from the heat and stir in your vanilla. Continue to stir until the mix starts to mound. Spread onto the prepared pan and allow to cool enough to handle. Do not allow it to cool completely. Just enough so you don't burn your fingers.
- Cut the candy into four strips and then down the middle. Shape each piece into a log and wrap it in waxed paper. Freeze until firm or overnight if you want to prep this portion beforehand.
- Once the candy is firm you are ready to finish with caramel and pecans. Melt your caramel with the milk in a microwave, double boiler, or melting pot. I recommend a melting pot or double boiler so the caramel can stay warm. It will set quickly.
- Place your pecans on a cookie sheet, coat your candy with caramel, and then roll in pecans.
- Wrap them in waxed paper and store them at room temperature in an airtight container.
That is all there is to this yummy pecan log roll recipe. Several ingredients but easy to make.
I think the trickiest part is coating the candy in caramel. It can set quickly which is why I recommend using a melting pot to keep the caramel warm.
As long as it stays warm it won't try to set up in the pot before you can finish coating all your candy.
I enjoy pecan log rolls all year long but several people see them as holiday candy. This pecan log roll recipe definitely will make a good homemade gift for family and friends.
It makes a lot, so whether it is the holidays or not I would be ready to pass some along.
You can cut these with a serrated knife and package them for friends or wrap up a whole log.
Have you ever made homemade pecan log rolls? I don't make a lot of candy but these are one of my favorites.
Pecan Log Roll Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons and a ½ cup butter divided and softened
- 3-¾ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup nonfat dry milk powder
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 package 14 ounces caramels
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Butter an 8 inch square pan with your 2 teaspoons butter and set aside.
- Combine powdered sugar and milk powder and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the ½ cup butter, sugar and light corn syrup.
- Stir until sugar is dissolved and mix comes to a boil.
- Stir in the powdered sugar and powdered milk mixture, a little at a time until blended.
- Remove from the heat and stir in your vanilla. Continue to stir until the mix starts to mound. Spread on to prepared pan and allow to cool enough to handle. Do not allow to cool completely. Just enough so you don't burn your fingers.
- Cut the candy into four strips and then down the middle. Shape each piece into a log and wrap in waxed paper. Freeze until firm or overnight if you want to prep this portion beforehand.
- Once the candy is firm you are ready to finish with caramel and pecans. Melt your caramel with the milk in a microwave, double boiler or melting pot. I recommend in a melting pot or double boiler so the caramel can stay warm. It will set quickly.
- Place your pecans on a cookie sheet, coat your candy with caramel and then roll in pecans.
- Wrap them in waxed paper and store at room temperature in an airtight container.
JG says
Can you confirm the pan size? The recipe says an 8 inch square, but the photos show a 9x13. Just wanted to be clear.
Melissa says
It's an 8 inch square (the photos are also of an 8 inch square pan).
Denise says
Absolutely delicious!!! Will become a tradition to make these at Christmas. Thank you!
Nancy says
Is the butter salted or unsalted?
Melissa says
Unsalted
RuthieB says
How do you hold onto the roll while you are covering it with hot caramel? Do you use tongs or a fork or does it cool on the frozen log fast enough you can just dip the ends?
Melissa says
I just toss the piece in the pot (I use a melting pot), use a spatula to turn it and coat the sides and just use a fork to pick it up and place it onto the wax paper.
Nidia Ramirez says
Hello! My nougat is really hard, how do I prevent that next time??
Melissa says
Did you substitute with anything different? If you used the exact same ingredients then I would imagine that your allowed it to boil too long. Allowing the syrup to get too hot can cause it to harden. Try cooking it at a reduced temperature. Also, weather can play a role in how nougat turns out as well.
Jeanine says
Can you freeze the final product?
Melissa says
Yes, you can freeze them. They would last about 3 months.
Babbie says
I love pecan logs! My favorite (hard to find) have the cherry nougat! Any suggestions on how to add cherries without making it runny but keeping all that delicious cherry flavor? Yours look absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Melissa says
Babbie, I have never tried adding cherries to the mix so it would definitely be trial and error to see if it worked. If I was going to though I would add like maybe a 1/3 cup of maraschino cherries, drained really well & finely chopped.
Vanessa says
Why??? I took the rolls to cover them in caramel, but the waxed paper is stuck all over the rolls. ☹️
Melissa says
Did you allow them to firm up enough? That is the only reason I can think of that would have caused the paper to stick.
Vanessa says
I ended up running them under warm water briefly and it helped to loosen and remove the paper easily. The end result was absolutely delicious and a big hit with all the family! Will definitely make again. Thanks!
Melissa says
Awesome, glad you were able to get the paper off and that you loved them. They really are delicious, right? One of my favorites for sure.
Doug says
My mother is 86 and this is one of her favourite things to bake around Christmas but she uses eagle brand so it’s really rich
Lisa says
I’m so happy to have found this recipe! It reminds me of having this candy at my grandmother’s house at Christmas time when I was a child. I remember it being SOOO good. I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Thank you❤️
Joyce says
Do you roll the frozen logs in the warm Caramel? I would think it would melt. Also how do you get the caramel so thick on the logs? Thank you! They look delicious!
Melissa says
You can either do them firm from the freezer or fully frozen. You can't really roll it in the caramel but rather dip it in and use a spoon to fully coat it. It won't melt, but that is why you need it firm to frozen prior to applying the caramel.
Brenda says
Thanks for all the mouth watering candy recipes..
Kris says
My mom LOVES pecan logs, an Oklahoma tradition. I live in CO and am going to make these to send to her. Out of curiosity, how should I package them and how long will they keep. Packages only take 2 days to get to her when I ship them and it's still relatively cool out.
Melissa says
Kris,
You could freeze them and send them with dry ice so that they would stay frozen and they would last up to 3 months. If you are just planning to send a few not frozen I would put them in an air-tight container and they would be good for around 2 weeks.
Brenda Elder says
Looks good going to try them