Brownie Fudge

Follow directions exactly. It took me three tries to get this right because I altered a few things that couldn't be altered.

½ cup whole natural almonds, chopped
20 crème-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, finely ground
1 pkg bittersweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli 60% cocoa), melted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
¾ tsp almond extract
1 can vanilla frosting (or make your own)
Maraschino cherries, optional

Line 8” square pan with enough foil to overhand sides by 2”. Toast almonds. I put them in the oven for a few minutes. You can also do this on the stove in a nonstick pan for a few minutes. In a bowl, combine cookie crumbs, melted chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and almonds. Press into pan. Let stand at room temperature until firm, at least one hour. Use foil to lift brownies from pan; remove foil. Spread with frosting; cut into squares. If desired, top with cherries.