Easy Butterscotch-Almond Pralines

 

1/2

cup packed brown sugar

1

box (4-serving size) butterscotch-flavored pudding and pie filling mix (not instant)

1

cup granulated sugar

1/2

cup half-and-half

1

tablespoon butter or margarine

1

cup blanched whole almonds, toasted if desired

1/4

cup boiling water

• 1 Line cookie sheet with foil. In 2-quart saucepan, stir all ingredients except boiling water with wooden spoon. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling rapidly. Boil and stir 3 minutes. Place boiling water in measuring cup. Remove candy from heat and continue stirring vigorously 4 to 5 minutes or until thick but still shiny.
• 2 Working quickly, drop praline mixture by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet, flattening into patty shape with back of wooden spoon if needed. If mixture stiffens too much to drop from a spoon, quickly stir in hot water, 1/4 teaspoon at a time, until smooth. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store in tightly covered container.