Chocolate Mink Food

CHOC MINT COOKIES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk together and set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the peppermint extract and egg and beat until combined. Add the flour/cocoa mixture in 2 or 3 batches, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the chopped mints. Place the dough into a large ziptop bag and flatten slightly with your hand. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it rest in the bag at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes.
• For rolling: Mix the flour and cocoa powder in a bowl, then tip it out onto the counter. Remove the dough from the bag and put it on the flour/cocoa mixture. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/3 inch. Cut with fun-shaped cookie cutters and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. You'll need to consolidate and re-roll the dough as you go.
• Bake until set, about 12 minutes. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
• For the royal icing: Beat the powdered sugar, milk and egg white with a mixer in a large bowl until thick and glossy. Add more powdered sugar if the icing seems too thin (the size of the egg can affect consistency). Just play with it until it's right. The icing should be stiff enough to "stand still" when piped and not run.
• To decorate: Transfer the royal icing to a piping bag and swirl the icing onto the cookies to decorate them. Let set for 10 to 15 minutes.

CHOCOLATE MINI-LOAVES

Steps:

• Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Generously spray the inside of a mini-loaf baking pan with the cooking spray and set aside.
• Put the butter, coffee, cocoa and milk in a small microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high until the butter melts, about 3 minutes. Whisk to combine.
• Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, chile powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Beat the sour cream, eggs and vanilla in a small bowl. Whisk the hot cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients; stir in the sour cream mixture, until just combined. Divide the batter equally among the loaves, filling each about ¾ of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Allow the loaves to cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around each loaf to loosen, remove the loaves and let cool completely on a rack.
• To serve, dust the tops of the loaves with confectioners' sugar. If you like, cut out small hearts or other festive stencils and place them on the loaves before dusting.

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM CAKE WITH BROWNIE CRUST AND VANILLA WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• For the ice cream cake: Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line it with a parchment paper circle. Cover the bottom of the pan with the brownies, using any extra pieces to line the sides of the pan if desired. Sprinkle with the cookies. Scoop the ice cream onto the cookie layer, packing it in tightly. Spread with an offset spatula to make a smooth top. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
• Unmold the cake by running a knife around the edge of it, then unhinging the springform ring and removing it. Invert the cake onto a sheet of plastic wrap and remove the bottom of the pan and the parchment. Place a plate on the bottom and invert once more.
• For the vanilla whipped cream frosting: Add the cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. This makes enough frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake with additional to pipe decorations if desired.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with the whipped cream frosting and decorate with the sprinkles. If the cake begins to get too soft, put it back into the freezer for a few minutes.
• Freeze an additional 1 1/2 hours and up to overnight. Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.

CHOCOLATE MINT COOKIES I

Steps:

• In a large pan over low heat, cook butter, sugar and water until butter is melted. Add chocolate chips and stir until partially melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is completely melted. Pour into a large bowl and let stand 10 minutes to cool off slightly.
• At high speed, beat in eggs, one at a time into chocolate mixture. Reduce speed to low and add dry ingredients, beating until blended. Chill dough about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Roll dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 8-10 minutes. While cookies are baking unwrap mints and divide each in half. When cookies are brought out of the oven, put 1/2 mint on top of each cookie. Let the mint sit for up to 5 minutes until melted, then spread the mint on top of the cookie. Eat and enjoy!

CHOCOLATE MINT ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• To make the mint cream, beat the heavy cream, sugar and mint extract together with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
• To assemble the cake, spread each wafer with about ½ tablespoon min cream, forming stacks. Lay the stacks horizontally on a long serving platter, pressing gently to form a log.
• With a small spatula or knife, cover the log with the remaining mint cream.
• Refrigerate, covered, at least four hours or up to two days. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips before serving.