Sweet-Salty-Bitters Glazed Nuts

A party snack or a cocktail accompaniment, these Glazed Nuts take 5 minutes to mix up, 25 minutes to roast and cool. So easy you’ll be back for more — really.  The nuts stay crisp for weeks if stored in airtight containers — not that they’ll last that long on your kitchen counter!
Angostura adds a deep flavor dimension to so many foods. Although sometimes bitters seem subtle in food, it adds a distinctly appealing flavor difference. Think of the bitter side of high-cacao dark chocolate or French-roast coffee, and you’ll know what I mean.

Sweet-Salty-Bitter Glazed Nuts

Prep time 30-35 minutes       Makes 3 cups

2          Tbsp. butter
2          Tbsp. Angostura aromatic bitters
6          Tbsp. sugar
1-1/2    tsp. kosher salt
1/2       tsp. cinnamon
3          cups raw nuts – pecan or walnut halves, whole almonds or cashews, 12-14 oz total
(Pre-roasted cashews are fine for this recipe.)

Preheat oven to 300°F. Place oven rack in middle of oven.

Melt butter with Angostura bitters in a 6-cup bowl in the microwave or in a 4-qt pan on the stovetop. Stir, then add sugar, salt and cinnamon; stir well. Sugar does not have to be completely dissolved, but a warm sauce will coat nuts more thoroughly. Add nuts to bowl (pan) and stir until well coated. If needed, warm up mixture a little.

Line a large, rimmed sheet tray with parchment paper.*  Spread nuts out evenly on paper, separating them as much as possible. Roast 13-16 minutes or until golden brown; remove from oven. Let cool 10-15 minutes, then use your fingers to break up clusters. When completely cooled, transfer nuts to serving bowls or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

* KITCHEN NOTES:  If you do not have parchment paper, line tray with heavy-duty aluminum foil, dull side up. Roast 13-16 minutes or until nuts are golden brown; remove from oven. Let stand 2-3 minutes only, then stir nuts frequently until cooled and no longer sticking to the foil. If nuts stick to foil too much as they cool, pick up foil and remove nuts to another flat surface with your fingers. Keep nuts separated; do not store them or put them in a bowl until completely cooled.

Nutrition information for 1/4 cup glazed nuts: 250 calories, 5g protein, 15g carb, 19g fat (3 g sat. fat), 5mg chol, 290mg sodium, 2g fiber

Recipe by Rita Held for Angostura USA

Roasted, hot from the oven
Cooled, separated, and ready to serve or store
Sweet Salty Bitters Glazed Nuts