Chocolate Almond Bark

Chocolate nut bark is one of the quickest and easiest candy confections to make.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 cup whole unblanched almonds
3 (6-ounce) packages semisweet chocolate chips* (3 cups)
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil)

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line bottom and sides of a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan with lightly buttered waxed paper or aluminum foil. Set aside.
2. Spread almonds onto a baking sheet and toast in oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring nuts occasionally, or until lightly browned. Let cool.
3. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in the top of a double boiler over simmering water just until mixture begins to melt. Remove from heat; stir until completely melted. Stir in toasted almonds.
4. Turn mixture into prepared pan and spread to distribute nuts evenly. Cool at room temperature until firm. Lift candy from pan; peel off waxed paper and break into pieces. Store in airtight container.

Makes about 1 1/4 pounds candy.

*Or substitute with 1 pound milk or white chocolate.