almond roca bark

I love to give treats to family, friends and colleagues with my holiday cards each year. Every year we try something new, a few years back it was "brownies in a jar", last year it was "home made hot cocoa mix cones". This year we made Almond Roca Bark. It is easy, tasty and always a hit. You only need to give a small amount as it is so rich and so sweet.

** sorry I know this picture isn't very good, I took it when I was half asleep**

Ingredients for the Almond Roca Bark
2 cups butter (unsalted)
2 cups white sugar
1 cup whole almonds
1 cup pecans (pieces, halves or whole)
1 large package chocolate chips*

*I recommend milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Combine almonds and pecans in a blender or food processor until quite fine.

Melt butter over high heat, when butter is melted, but not brown, add sugar, stirring until it has fully dissolved. Continue over high heat, bring to a boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, adding half the almond and pecan nut mixture. Continue to cook, stirring continually until mixture is color of mahogany and sugar is all melted. This can take a while and time seemed to differ between each of our batches. Don't give in to quickly! If you pull the sugar mixture off the stove too soon, it gets chewy and not hard like a real Almond Roca.

Stir as you take it off the heat permanently and pour quickly onto your biggest flat pan with sides, I found lining the pan with a silpad was very useful. Tilt to spread evenly. There may be excess butter that didn't combine, take a carefully folded paper towel and absorb as much as you can.

Once the butter is cleared off, and the candy has semi set, but is still warm, pour on chocolate chips. When they have melted a bit, spread them over the top of the hot mixture with the back of a tablespoon. Once chocolate is melted evenly sprinkle remainder of nut mixture.
Allow to set completely. Break into snack size pieces, store in air tight container, or place in cello gift baggies. Enjoy and happy holidays!

(If you want Almond Roca "mini bars"- like the store bought candy: pour the mixture into a square pan (well greased) and let set, score the bars into 1/2 x 1 inch bars with a butter knife, when it has set - about 20-30 minutes, cut the bars along the scored lines, it should break pretty cleanly. You will then to individually dip each bar into the melted chocolate and then will roll in the nuts mixture).