- 1 cup pecans
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)
- A candy thermometer
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5″ loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on long sides; set aside.
- Toast pecans on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until fragrant and slightly darkened in color, 8–10 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop.
- Heat sugar, buttermilk, butter, honey, and kosher salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until butter and sugar are melted, about 3 minutes. Fit saucepan with thermometer, bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thermometer registers 238°F (mixture will be pale golden and smell faintly of toffee), 6–8 minutes.
- Immediately pour mixture into a medium bowl and, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat until cool and thickened (it will be stiff and matte), 5–8 minutes. Fold in pecans. Scrape fudge into prepared pan; smooth top and sprinkle with sea salt. Let sit at least 1 hour before cutting into pieces.
- DO AHEAD: Fudge can be made 1 week ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.