Easy Christmas Gifts for Co-Workers: Sweet Roasted Pecans

Do you give Christmas gifts to your co-workers? I work in a small office (technically I only have two co-workers) so we usually get each other something small, but personal (around the $15-$25 range). However, I work at a university, so technically I have hundreds of co-workers. Fortunately I don't know them all, but the past few years I have received some unexpected gifts and not had anything to give in return. Awkward. 

This year, I decided to make some big batches of food-y gifts to have on hand for those type of situations. I wanted something easy but special, so I made Sweet Roasted Pecans. 

Ingredients

4 cups of pecans

2 cups light brown sugar

1/4 cup water
3 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp kosher salt

Directions

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add water and brown sugar to the skillet and cook until thickened (stir the entire time to prevent burning). Add the salt and the cinnamon, mix together and then add pecans. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until each pecan is fully coated and there is very little liquid left in the skillet. 

When done cooking, scoop the pecans onto the cookie sheet. Use two forks to gently separate the pecans. Leave out to cool and harden. 

You can put these in pretty little bags, or mason jars like I did. Tie 'em with a ribbon and make it festive. 

I'm not going to lie, these are addicting. I ate more than I planned to... which may or may not have left less to give to friends. I equate roasted pecans with fairs and carnivals and wonderful things like that, so it is fun to have these in a completely different environment.

What do you give your co-workers for Christmas? 

sweet roasted pecans