1/4 pound (one sleeve) soda crackers
1 cup butter (margarine will not work)
1 cup sugar
1 (12 ounce) bag chocolate chips (optional)
Chopped almonds (optional)

Line cookie sheet with foil and butter well. Break the crackers and try to layer them evenly on the foil. If you are going to use the almonds, brown them in the butter. Boil the butter and sugar for exactly 3 minutes. Remove almonds from the butter and set aside. Pour butter-sugar mixture over the crackers and bake in the oven at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the chocolate chips. As the chips melt, spread them evenly over the mixture. You can then sprinkle with the almonds if you wish. When cool, break into pieces.