- 1 cup white sugar
- 5 cups hot water
- 10 cups pecan halves
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 5 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- Stir 1 cup sugar into the hot water in a large bowl until the sugar is completely dissolved. Soak the pecans in the water for 1 hour; drain.
- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line two 9×13 inch baking dishes with parchment paper.
- Sift the 2/3 cup sugar, chili powder, and cayenne pepper together in a separate large bowl; add the pecans and toss to coat evenly. Spread the coated pecans in a single layer into the prepared dishes.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the coating on the pecans are bubbly, stirring once, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pecans from the pans immediately and spread onto a counter or other flat surface covered with parchment paper to cool.