2 cups sliced Almonds
1 1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 T. water or rum
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4-1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Toast Almonds: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place almonds on a cookie sheet. Toast for 5-15 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Cool. Place in a food processor and grind until very fine. Sprinkle half on a buttered cookie sheet (about a 7 x 10" area.) I use a Silpat lined cookie sheet which works really well.
Measure vanilla and baking power, set aside near the stove.
In a medium saucepan combine brown sugar, water (or rum) and butter. Stirring constantly bring to a boil and continue cooking until it reaches 290 degrees on a candy thermometer. It is important to stir frequently and let it get fully up to temperature. Remove from heat (the mixture will continue to rise in temp. to 300.)
Add the vanilla and baking powder.
Quickly pour the toffee mixture over the nuts on the cookie sheet and spread with a spatua. It will cool very quickly so do this part fast. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top and let rest a minute or two until they begin to melt. Spread them in an even layer over the toffee. Sprinkle the remaining nuts over the tope and let cool.
Store in an airtight container. It keeps about a month (although in my house it doesn't last more than a day.) This is a super recipe for the holidays as it can be made early in December for giving later or to have on hand when guests stop by.
Thank you Lauren for another wonderful recipe. I'm printing it out and placing it my recipe binder.
Posted by: Cindy | August 14, 2006 at 11:32 AM
Thank you so much for posting the recipe. I've been thinking about Buttercrunch Toffee since reading your previous entry about making it for a gift--started me drooling all over myself and now you've saved me from drowning.
Posted by: June | August 14, 2006 at 05:08 PM
This sounds really yummy and perfect for holiday gifts, although I don't think I'll be waiting that long to try it :)
Posted by: janet | August 15, 2006 at 06:10 AM
Perfect - thank you!! I'll definitely be making a batch of this soon!
Posted by: Jackie | August 15, 2006 at 09:49 AM
Oh I wish I wasn't on this low carb diet. I know if I made this.....I would be sneaking in any chance I got to have a little nibble. That usually goes on until I have polished the whole thing off.............
Posted by: Linda Harre | August 16, 2006 at 10:27 PM