This pecan log roll recipe is a delicious no-bake dessert that has 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.
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 1/2 cup butter divided and softened
- 3-3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 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 1/2 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 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 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 really 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 that way or just wrap up a whole log.
Have you ever made homemade pecan log rolls? I don’t make a lot of candy but these are definitely one of my favorites.
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Pecan Log Roll Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons and a 1/2 cup butter divided and softened
- 3-3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 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 1/2 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
Monday 11th of September 2023
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
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
It's an 8 inch square (the photos are also of an 8 inch square pan).
Denise
Friday 23rd of December 2022
Absolutely delicious!!! Will become a tradition to make these at Christmas. Thank you!
Nancy
Sunday 20th of November 2022
Is the butter salted or unsalted?
Melissa
Tuesday 22nd of November 2022
Unsalted
RuthieB
Saturday 25th of December 2021
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
Sunday 26th of December 2021
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
Sunday 20th of December 2020
Hello! My nougat is really hard, how do I prevent that next time??
Melissa
Monday 21st of December 2020
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.