Almond Praline Bell

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300℉ (150℃). 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 1½ cups).

1. In a heavy, 3-quart saucepan, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey and water. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until sugar is dissolved.

2. Cook, uncovered and without stirring, to 300℉ (150℃) on candy thermometer, or until a few drops of syrup in cold water form hard, brittle threads.

3. Remove from heat; add butter and ground almonds.

4. 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 ⅛” thick.

5. Lift brittle off the sheet before it is completely cooled and hardened, and mold it against the inside of prepared mold.

6. Cool completely - about 2 hours. Unmold just before it is to be served.

7. 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.