Caramel Pecan Syrup
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Meet the new star of your coffee bar: Homemade Caramel Pecan Syrup. It’s rich, nutty and ready in just 20 minutes. This easy homemade syrup instantly upgrades breakfast and dessert with a cozy, caramelized flavor with a rich nutty undertone. Keep a jar in the fridge and you’ll never reach for store-bought again.
Copycat Starbucks Pecan Syrup Recipe
Warm, nutty, and deeply caramelized, this pecan brown sugar syrup is a cozy staple you’ll want to drizzle over just about everything.
The combination of toasty pecans and rich brown sugar creates a velvety syrup that tastes deliciously decadent but is incredibly simple to make with just 3-4 ingredients (including water).
Not only is this homemade caramel pecan syrup cheaper to make than anything you can buy at the store, you can whip it up faster than you can drive to your closest Starbucks – making it the perfect budget-friendly swap to enjoy a cozy coffee at home, anytime the mood strikes!
You can make this recipe uniquely your own by adding maple syrup, molasses, vanilla beans, a sprinkle of cinnamon or any other favorite fall flavorings.
How to Enjoy this Copycat Starbucks Pecan Syrup:
Obviously, one of the best ways to enjoy this syrup is to sweeten your favorite coffees or teas (like making our Copycat Butter Praline Latte), but this syrup can also be enjoyed in a few different ways:
- Drizzle over pancakes and waffles as an alternative to maple syrup.
- Use as an ice cream topping over vanilla, butter pecan or even pumpkin ice cream.
- Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt for a fall breakfast treat.
- Brush onto carrots, sweet potatoes, or squash during the last few minutes of roasting for an easy glaze for roasted veggies.
- Lightly drizzle or brush over freshly baked sponge cake, pound cake or cupcakes to keep cakes moist and flavorful.
- Use in place of simple syrup for an old fashioned, pecan sour or bourbon smash for a sweet, nutty flourish.
- Use as a marinade on chicken, pork or beef, adding some savory spices to balance out the sweetness.
For this recipe, I used Millican Pecan’s Pecan Pieces. I didn’t realize what a difference there could be between pecan brands, but these are so incredibly fresh and flavorful. They also have delicious snack options like the Sweet and Spicy Pecans which are perfect for the holidays. My next order, I’m trying their Pecan Butter and the Caramel Pecan Coffee! (And by the way, this is not sponsored – I just really love them.)
Can I use light brown sugar instead of dark? Yes, light brown sugar will give you a slightly milder, less molasses-forward syrup.
Do I have to strain out the pecans? Straining out the nuts after making the syrup results in a smooth syrup ideal for drinks, while leaving them in works beautifully for breakfast dishes or baking. Decide if you want to strain them out based on what you plan to use the syrup for; if you primarily plan on enjoying this syrup in coffee, straining them out is your best bet.
(Note: you don’t have to discard the pecans after removing! These are great for enjoying as a snack, sprinkling over a dessert or adding to a salad.)
How long will this syrup last? Stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, it will keep for up to a month. On the counter, use it within 2 weeks.
Can I freeze the syrup? Yes, though it’s best enjoyed fresh. Freeze in small portions (an ice cube tray is great for portioning out the syrup) and thaw as needed.
What if the syrup thickens too much? Simply stir in a splash of warm water to loosen the texture.
More Perfect Pecan Recipes:
- Pecan Pie Brownies
- Sheet Pan Pecan Pie
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake
- Pecan-Crusted Salmon
- Candied Pecans
- Pecan Pie Pumpkin Cheesecake from The Best Cheesecake Recipes
- Turtle Tart from The Pioneer Woman
- Texas Trash Pie from Southern Living
Caramel Pecan Syrup Ingredients
- Brown Sugar
- Pecans
- Water
- Vanilla Extract, optional
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: Toast the pecans lightly in a dry pan before adding them to the sugar for an even richer, nuttier flavor.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Strainer
- Storage Jar (these syrup dispensers would be a cute addition to your coffee bar or just set on a tray beside your coffee maker)
How to Make Caramel Pecan Syrup
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine half of the brown sugar and the pecans.
Cook until pecans are slightly fragrant, then add the water and remaining brown sugar. Stir well to dissolve sugar.
Allow mixture to come to a simmer, then reduce and simmer over medium-low heat until reduced by half.
Remove from heat, and if desired, stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
If desired, strain the pecans out of the mixture before storing in a sealed container in a cool spot. (The pecans can be left in if using for pancakes or baked goods, but you will want to strain them out if using for drinks.)
Makes approximately 1 cup of syrup.
Pin this Easy Caramel Pecan Syrup to add some fall flavor to your cup of coffee:
Grab your free printable for our caramel pecan syrup recipe:
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Copycat Starbucks Pecan Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Pecans
- 1 cup Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, optional
Instructions
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 37Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 0g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope you love this easy brown sugar pecan syrup recipe as much as I do!
For more homemade pantry staples, check out our full pantry staples recipe collection here:
For more delicious drinks, check out our full (non-alcoholic) drink recipe collection here:
