-Nancy Speicher DPXX20A 1 c Blanched almonds 1 1/3 c Granulated sugar 2/3 c Light-brown sugar; packed 1/3 c Honey 1/3 c -cold water 6 tb Butter 1 Lemon; cut in half 1. Preheat oven to 300F. Butter inside of 9", 10-cup decorative mold; or use a 10-cup bowl. Grease a large cookie sheet. On another cookie sheet, toast almonds until golden brown - about 20 minutes. In blender or food processor, grind almonds (makes 1 1/2 cups). 2. In a heavy, 3-quart saucepan, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey and water. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until sugar is dissolved. 3. Cook, uncovered and without stirring, to 300F on candy thermometer, or until a few drops of syrup in cold water form hard, brittle threads. 4. Remove from heat; add butter and ground almonds. 5. Pour into prepared cookie sheet. Using the 2 lemon halves and working quickly, smooth out and push from the center to the edge of the cookie sheet until the brittle is 1/8" thick. 6. Lift brittle off the sheet before it is completely cooled and hardened, and mold it against the inside of prepared mold. 7. Cool completely - about 2 hours. Unmold just before it is to be served. 8. To unmold: With spatula, carefully loosen candy from pan; remove. Makes 1 large bell. Note: Leftover pieces can be kept in a closed jar at room temperature, or wrapped in aluminum foil. From McCalls Cookery No. 13
|