"Almond Rocha" Imitation

Just in time for Christmas!

Ingredients
 

1½ cups coarsely-chopped almonds

16 oz. light brown sugar

1 lb. butter

24 oz. chocolate chips

What to Do

1. Sprinkle ¾ cup coarsely chopped almonds onto the bottom of an 18x13 inch cookie sheet. Set aside.
2. In a 2 qt. sauce pan, combine sugar and butter over medium high heat while stirring frequently for several minutes unit bubbly and thick. Use a candy thermometer and cook until 290 degrees F. Watch carefully after 280 degrees F to prevent it from burning. Once it has reached 290 degrees F, remove from heat.
3. Pour candy evenly on top of the almonds in cookie sheet. Let stand for a few minutes.
4. Melt chocolate chips in microwave with 1 tsp. shortening or oil to help keep it smooth. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between each increment, until completely melted and smooth.
5. Cover candy with layer of chocolate and sprinkle remaining almonds evenly over the top of chocolate layer.
6. Allow to set up for a few hours.
7. Once completely set up and hardened, break into pieces using a knife.