Almond Roco

Yield: 2-1/2 pounds

• 1 pound butter
• 2-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 pound whole almonds
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup almonds, finely chopped
Line a jelly-roll pan with foil, and grease the foil or spray it with cooking oil. Combine the butter and sugar in a 4-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. When the mixture comes to a steady boil, continue cooking for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the whole almonds, then stir and cook at a steady boil until the almonds split, about 5 to 10 minutes. The mixture will be golden tan and smooth. Pour into the prepared jelly-roll pan. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave. After the candy mixture starts to firm up, frost it with a little more than half the melted chocolate. Immediately flip the mixture over onto another piece of heavy-duty greased foil. Frost the other side with the remaining chocolate, then cover with the chopped almonds. Let stand until cold, usually overnight. Break up into small pieces.