Sprinkle 1/2 cup almonds on bottom of greased 10-inch tube pan. Set aside rest of almonds and chocolate chips. Place remaining ingredients in mixer bowl. Beat 4 minutes. Fold in chips and almonds, then pour into pan. Bake in 350 F oven 60 to 70 minutes. Cool 15 minutes and remove from pan. Serve with topping of whipped cream if desired. Note from me: A nice touch would be to puncture finished cake with long-tined fork. Dribble over cake about 1/4 cup Kahlua. Then serve with sweetened whipped cream flavored with almond or vanilla extract.