Almond Roca in the Round

An almond roca- type candy is formed into a round shape by using a mini-muffin pan to form the candy. What a clever use for the mini-muffin pan and what a delightful little candy treat this is! See the note below for making a simplified version of this candy. Recipe from Southern Lady magazine.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Yields: 36 candy pieces

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 2  tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 1⁄2 cups  toasted sliced almonds, divided
• 1 1⁄2 cups  semisweet chocolate
• 1  teaspoon vegetable shortening

Directions

1. Lightly spray 36 mini-muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until butter is melted. Add sugars, water and corn syrup, stirring to combine well. Cook, stirring until sugar dissolves. Raise heat to medium-high. Bring mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture reaches 300 degrees F. on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and stir in 1 cup toasted almonds.
3. Working quickly, carefully spoon about 1 tablespoon sugar mixture into prepared muffin pans.
4. In a small bowl, combine chocolate morsels and vegetable shortening. Microwave on High in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth (approximately 1-1/2 minutes total.).
5. Spoon about 2 teaspoons chocolate mixture on top of sugar mixture, spreading chocolate to edges of muffin cup. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cups almonds on top of chocolate. Let stand for 1 hour, or until chocolate is set.
6. NOTE: To make a simplified version of Almond Roca, prepare butter-sugar mixture according to recipe directions, but instead of spooning it into muffin pans, simply spoon onto a sheet of parchment paper or a Silpat. Spread to 1/4-inch thickness. Allow to cool completely. Spread melted chocolate on top of cooled candy. Sprinkle wih remaining 1/2 cup toasted almonds. Let stand for an hour or until chocolate is set. Break into pieces and enjoy!