Chocolate Almond Fondant Sticks

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¼ cup glucose
• ½ cup water
• ¼ pound almond paste
• ¼ pound premium chocolate, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ pound chocolate, for coating

Method

1. 1 Combine sugar, glucose, and water in a kettle. Stir over heat until sugar dissolves, washing down sides with water.
2. 2 Boil mixture to soft-ball stage (238°F). Add almond paste pieces and boil vigorously.
3. 3 Pour onto a damp marble. When nearly cool, cream with a spatula until it becomes fondant. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
4. 4 Knead in melted premium chocolate and vanilla while the fondant is still warm.
5. 5 Roll small portions into pencil-thick strips, then cut into 2-inch lengths. Let firm up.
6. 6 Dip sticks into melted coating chocolate, leaving the surface slightly rough. Let set.