Rich, chocolate almond toffee to add to a festive candy platter or for holiday gift-giving.

Holiday Toffee

1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup toasted chopped almonds

1. Combine boiling water, brown sugar, sugar, light corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan. Stir until dissolved. Cook, covered, over high heat for 2 minutes, or until steam washes the sugar crystals from the side of the pan. Cook uncovered, to 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer, the firm-ball stage; do not stir. Add butter then cook to 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer, the hard-crack stage; do not stir. Pour into a lightly buttered 13 x 9-inch baking dish; let stand until firm.
2. In a double-boiler, melt chocolate chips over low heat.
3. Blot toffee with a paper towel then spread with half of the melted chocolate chips. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds. Invert onto a wax paper lined baking sheet. Spread with remaining melted chocolate and sprinkle with remaining almonds. Let stand until the chocolate is set then break into pieces.

Makes 24 pieces.