Seasoned pecans make terrific homemade gifts for friends, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, and others. They're also perfect hostess gifts for any type of event. They are particularly popular during the holiday season, although they are delicious treats for any occasion.

Sweet Pecan Recipe: Caramelized Pecans

• 2 pounds pecan halves
• 2 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons of cold water
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. (Note, this is not a typo, it is really 225.) Place egg white and water into a bowl and whisk until the mixture becomes frothy. Add nuts and toss until they are well coated.

In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar and salt. Toss pecans in sugar and salt mixture a few at a time until well coated. Cover a cookie pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place nuts on the pan in a single layer. Bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Spicy Pecan Recipe: Hot & Spicy Pecans

• 4 cups pecan halves
• 3 teaspoons of butter
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 3 teaspoons of soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoons of hot sauce (I use Tabasco brand)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spread nuts out on pan in a single layer. Melt butter in your microwave. Pour the melted butter over the pecans. Mix the salt, soy sauce, and hot sauce. Pour mixture over the buttered nuts. Bake a total of 20 minutes, stirring and tossing the nuts after the first 10 minutes.

Sweet & Spicy Pecan Recipe: Savory Seasoned Pecans

• 1 pound of pecan halves
• 3 egg whites
• 3 tablespoons of cold water
• 3 cups of granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 4 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons of salt

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Put egg white and water into a mixing bowl and whisk until the mixture becomes frothy. In a separate bowl, mix sugar, salt, and spices together. Dip nuts into egg mixture and , then roll into sugar and spice mixture. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spread nuts out on cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for one hour.

There are several different ways to prepare seasoned pecans. If you have a favorite technique for making spiced pecans, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.