Peppermint Crack Food

ALMOST-FAMOUS PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny-side up; smooth out any wrinkles. Heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over low heat until steaming.
• Put all but 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of steaming water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until one-third of the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the steaming water over low heat. Gradually stir the reserved 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate into the bowl, a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted. Return the bowl to the saucepan, 5 to 10 seconds at a time, to help melt the chocolate, if needed. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Firmly tap the dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside at room temperature until almost set, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put all but 1 cup of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and repeat the melting process over the steaming water; dry off the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; pour over the semisweet chocolate and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle immediately with the crushed candy canes, gently pressing them into the white chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour. Lift the bark out of the pan using the foil and break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

LOADED PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny-side up; smooth out any wrinkles.
• Heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over low heat until steaming. Put half of the bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of steaming water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and heat, stirring, until most of the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the steaming water over low heat. Gradually stir in the remaining bittersweet chocolate a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted. Return the bowl to the saucepan if needed, 5 to 10 seconds at a time, to help melt the chocolate. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir 3/4 teaspoon of the peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Firmly tap the bottom of the dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, put all of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and repeat the melting process over the steaming water; dry off the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.
• Dollop tablespoons of the white chocolate mixture over the bittersweet chocolate. Drag a toothpick in loops and swirls through the white and dark chocolate to create a marbling effect. Sprinkle immediately with the chopped peppermint patties and crushed candy canes, gently pressing them into the chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour.
• Lift the bark out of the dish using the foil and break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

PEPPERMINT BARK BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square pan with baking spray, line with parchment and then lightly spray the parchment.
• Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and set aside. Whisk together the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in the melted butter, eggs, yolk, vanilla and water. Stir in the mini chocolate chips if using. Stir the batter vigorously until smooth and shiny, about 30 seconds. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it, 42 to 44 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours in the pan before cutting. Invert the pan onto a cutting board, peel off the parchment and cut the brownies into 16 squares.
• Combine the white chocolate chips and oil in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring well between intervals, until melted and smooth. This should take 40 to 60 seconds. Dip the bottom surface of each brownie into the melted chocolate, let any excess drip back into the bowl, and turn the brownie so the chocolate is upright. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Repeat with the remaining brownies. Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 4 days.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides. Spray foil. Pour the chocolate chips in an even layer on the foil. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until almost melted. Remove from oven, smooth with an offset spatula or knife. Place in refrigerator until cold and firm, about 20 minutes.
• Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over simmering water (don't let bottom of bowl touch water), until chocolate is almost melted. If you are daring, you can use your microwave. Remove bowl from water and stir until completely melted, stirring in extract. Let cool a little bit so it doesn't melt the chocolate layer when you pour it on top. Pour this over chocolate layer, and, working quickly, spread to cover. Sprinkle with crushed candy (I pressed the candy in just a bit).
• Chill until both layers are firm. Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy. Trim edges. Cut into 2" wide strips. Peel bark from foil and cut each strip as desired. Chill in covered container. Makes about 2 pounds.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK WITH PEPPERMINT STICK

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate. Place the peppermint sticks in a heavy, locked plastic bag and crush them fine by whacking and then rolling them with a rolling pin. They should have about the same consistency as crushed ice. When the chocolate is melted, stir in the peppermint oil. Stir in all but 2 tablespoons of the crushed peppermint pieces and spread the mixture out on the cookie sheet, about 1/4-inch thick. It will not fill the pan completely. Sprinkle the reserved peppermint stick over the top. Let set at room temperature until hardened, about 2 hours. (Or, refrigerate for 30 minutes to harden more quickly.) Use your hands to break into pieces. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CRACKLE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine wehole wheat pastry flour, all-ourpose flour, cocoa and baking powder. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, beat margarine with Splenda Brown Sugar Blend until smooth. Beat in eggs and peppermint extract. Add melted chocolate and beat until smooth. Add flour mixrture to chocolate mixture and bveat ot combine. Divide dough into 4 equal parts, shape into discs, cover wirh plasric wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Working with one disc at a time, shape dough into 8x1-inch log on un-floured work surface. Cut each log into 8 equal pieces and shape each into a ball.
• Place balls on prepared cookie sheet, about 2-inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball with hand and bake until surface cracks, and is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Do not overbake.
• Cool cookie on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to rack and cooling completely.
• NOTE: Freezer Friendly: Yes - store cookies in airight container for up to 5 days or freeze for to 3-4 weeks).