Chocolate Almond Clusters - Meules de Foin/Heuhaefeli

These are among the easiest of all Swiss chocolate candies to prepare at home, especially since you don’t need any equipment more elaborate than a bowl and a spoon. Checking the temperature of the chocolate with a thermometer helps too.

The assortment of chocolates in the photo was taken at the Confiserie Ackermann in Les Tuileries de Grandson, a charming village in Canton Vaud. The shop’s website is www.boulangerieackermann.ch.

Makes about 40 clusters

12 ounces bittersweet or milk chocolate, melted and cooled

8 ounces/about 2 cups slivered almonds, lightly toasted and cooled

A rimmed baking sheet covered with parchment or wax paper

1. Cool the chocolate to about 85 degrees, then quickly reheat the bottom of the bowl several times over simmering water a few seconds at a time, stirring well and taking the temperature every time, until it’s about 90 degrees F.
2. Quickly stir in the almonds and use a soup spoon to dress out tablespoon-sized mounds of the chocolate covered almonds onto the prepared pan.
3. Let the candies cool and set at room temperature or refrigerate them briefly.
4. Store the clusters in a tin or plastic container with a tight-fitting cover at a cool room temperature.