Peppermint Chocolate Almond Crisps Food

CHOCOLATE ALMOND CRISPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Line a couple of cookie trays with parchment paper.
• In a food processor, process the almonds with the sugar until finely ground.
• Add the cocoa, spices and broken up chocolate and process again, until the chocolate is finely ground.
• Process in the egg whites and the extract until it blends and forms a mass.
• Remove the dough, let sit for about 5 minutes.
• Roll out on a board sprinkled with icing sugar.
• Cut with cookie cutters and place on the trays.
• Bake in the centre of the oven for 10 to 12 minutes until almost firm and slightly puffed; they should not be browned.
• Let cool then peel from the paper.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK - CHRISTMAS

Steps:

• Line a 9x12 pan with parchment paper.
• Melt the dark chocolate (use the method you prefer, either double boiler, or microwave - cook 30 seconds in a heat-proof bowl, stir and repeat until you have a smooth consistency.
• Pour the melted dark chocolate on the parchment paper, spread the chocolate out until it is about 1/3" thick. You can do this by hitting the pan on the countertop repeatedly, or maybe you could use a spatula to spread the chocolate.
• Melt the white chocolate, using the steps above. After the chocolate is smooth, pour it on top of the dark chocolate - trying to make the layers the same thickness. (it's best to do this step while the white chocolate is still very soft -- I've had them separate when I broke them into pieces, I think the layers "stick" together better if the white chocolate has not hardened).
• Unwrap the starlite mints, or peppermints of your choice and put them into a heavy duty ziplock bag. Using a hammer or meat tenderizer - crush the mints then, while the white chocolate is still melted sprinkle on top.
• Let the chocolates harden in the refrigerator for 2 hours, then break the candy into pieces. This needs to be stored in the refrgerator if you live in a warm/humid climate.

VERONICA'S PEPPERMINT PRETZEL CRISPS

Steps:

• 1. Melt the vanilla almond bark candy coating in a microwave safe dish and melt and stir at 15 second intervals ,until melted.
• 2. Using a small silicone spatula, spread the top of a pretzel crisp with melted almond bark, lay on a sheet of waxed paper and immediately sprinkle with peppermint chips; repeat with remaining pretzel crisps.
• 3. Once set, package in airtight container or in cellophane bags or tins.
• 4. Check out all the flavors of Pretzel Crisps: Deli Style: Original Everything Garlic Parmesan Sesame Buffalo Jalapeño Jack Chipotle Cheddar --- Modern Classics: Classic Supreme Tuscan Three Cheese Cinnamon Toast --- See what I mean so many ideas!

ALMOND CRISPS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment, and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites. Beat on medium speed until thick, about 3 minutes. Beat in extracts.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball with dampened fingers, and gently press 2 sliced almonds on top.
• Bake until just brown on top, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and place on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove cookies from baking sheet while still warm, and place on a wire rack to cool.