English Toffee

1/2 pound milk chocolate
2 cups salted almonds
2 cups butter or margarine
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons white corn syrup
6 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cut chocolate fine; melt in double boiler over lukewarm water (115 degrees F). Stir occasionally. Slice 1 cup of the almonds in halves lengthwise; coarsely chop remaining nuts.

Melt butter or margarine in heavy frying pan; add sugar, the almond halves, corn syrup and water; stir until sugar is blended and no undissolved sugar adheres to sides of pan. Cook very slowly until small amount in cold water separates into hard but not brittle threads (290 degrees F). Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Add vanilla extract. Pour to 1/4-inch thickness into a 10 x 15-inch buttered pan or individual molds.

When cool, spread melted chocolate evenly over the top. Sprinkle with remaining chopped almonds. When hard, break into pieces; store in a tightly covered container between wax paper layers.

Makes about 3 pounds candy.