Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts

The legendary bar nuts — warm rosemary, a little heat, and completely impossible to stop eating

Homemade nuts and nut mixes nuts are an easy and delicious gift to give. In addition to just giving a beautiful tin of these nuts you can add them to a bottle of wine or champagne or even a basket with cheese and homemade crackers.

If you have never been to the Union Square Cafe, you should know that their bar nuts are legendary. Warm, fragrant with fresh rosemary, a little sweet, a little spicy, and completely impossible to stop eating. The recipe is simple, which is part of the point. You can have a batch in the oven in five minutes, and the smell alone will bring people into the kitchen.

Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts

These are everything a good bar nut should be. Salty and sweet and just enough heat from the cayenne to keep things interesting. The fresh rosemary is non-negotiable — dried will not do the same thing. And they are just as good tucked into a cellophane bag tied with ribbon as they are in your prettiest silver bowl on the coffee table.

What You Need to Make Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts

•  mixed unsalted raw nuts (pecans, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, etc)
•  fresh chopped rosemary
•  cayenne pepper
•  dark brown sugar
•  kosher salt or sea salt
• unsalted melted butter

How to Make Union Street Cafe Bar Nuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and spread the nuts in a single layer. Toast them for about 5 minutes, until they are just starting to turn golden and fragrant.

While the nuts are in the oven, stir together the melted butter, rosemary, cayenne, and brown sugar in a large bowl. When the nuts come out, add them to the bowl while they are still warm and toss to coat. Sprinkle the salt over the top and toss again.

That is the whole recipe. Ten minutes, one bowl, and your house smells like a very good

A Few Notes

The Union Square Cafe version uses a mix of pecans, walnuts, Brazil nuts, peanuts, cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts. Use whatever combination you like or whatever your grocery store has in stock. Pistachios and macadamia nuts are lovely additions.

If you are making these as gifts, they look beautiful in a clear cellophane bag tied with ribbon, in a holiday tin with a window so the recipient can see what is inside, or nestled into a gift basket alongside a bottle of wine and some good cheese.

Make an extra batch for yourself. This is not optional.

Serving Ideas

These are perfect alongside a glass of wine, a craft cocktail, or something sparkling. They are also excellent on a cheese board or served alongside olives and a sharp cheddar before a dinner party. I love them in a small silver bowl in the middle of the coffee table when friends come over in December.

If you are looking for more homemade gift ideas, you might enjoy my Drizzled Chocolate Caramel Corn — another one that goes quickly and ships beautifully.

What is your go-to homemade food gift? I am always looking to add something new to the list.

You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!

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Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts

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It’s time for cocktails and bar nuts. Not just any nuts the Union Square Cafe sweet, spicy bar nuts.

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

2 1/2 cups of mixed unsalted raw nuts (pecans, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, etc)

2 Tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt

1 Tablespoon unsalted melted butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Toast the nuts until lightly toasted and light golden brown, about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl mix together the unsalted butter, fresh rosemary, cayenne pepper, brown sugar. Add the warm unsalted nuts to the spiced butter and then sprinkle with the salt. Toss to coat and enjoy.

• Author: Elizabeth
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American