Peppermint Cream Bites Food

PEPPERMINT CREAMS

Steps:

• Sieve the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add a little of the egg white and a few drops of the peppermint essence and mix really well. You want the mixture to come together as a soft dough, so keep adding a little egg white until this starts to happen (you might not need to use all of it). Taste the mixture and add more peppermint essence if desired.
• Divide the mixture into 20 small balls, then flatten them gently with your fingertips into discs.
• Place baking parchment on a large board or tray and space out the discs. Meanwhile, tip the chocolate into a microwavable bowl and heat in 30 second intervals in the microwave until melted, stirring after each blast. Once melted, leave the chocolate to cool for 5-10 mins then carefully dip the peppermint creams in the melted chocolate until they are half coated. Lay them back on the baking parchment to set for 3-4 hours or overnight.

PEPPERMINT CREAM BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Line an 8"x8"x2" inch baking dish with foil, extending foil over the pan edges; set aside.
• In a medium bowl combine crushed cookies and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool slightly in pan on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, combine powdered sugar and softened butter in a food processor. Cover and process until butter is evenly distributed. With processor running, add milk and peppermint extract to make a paste.
• Spread peppermint mixture evenly over the prepared crust. Freeze for 45 minutes.
• In a microwave-safe bowl combine chopped chocolate and shortening. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until chocolate is melted, stirring once. Let chocolate cool for 15 minutes; pour over mint layer and spread evenly.
• Using foil, lift the uncut bars out of the pan. Use a 1 1/2 inch round cookie cutter to cut mixture into rounds or cut mixture into squares. Makes 30 cookies.

MINT BROWNIE BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 24-well nonstick mini muffin pan generously with baking spray.
• Melt the unsweetened chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Remove from the microwave and stir in 8 mints until all melted. Let cool slightly.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream 1 stick of the butter with the sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time. With the mixer on low, slowly drizzle in the cooled chocolate mixture, mixing until combined. Add the flour and mix thoroughly. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, add the mint extract and mix again.
• Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, scoop the batter into the prepared mini muffin pan. Bake until the edges are set and a toothpick comes out clean, 11 to 15 minutes. Let rest in the pan 5 minutes and then turn upside down out of the pan and allow to cool.
• Combine 30 to 36 mints in a microwave-safe bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the bittersweet chocolate. Microwave and stir until melted and smooth.
• Dip the brownie bites in the chocolate, concentrating on the top "cone" part. Allow to set for a few minutes. Chop the remaining mints and sprinkle them on the top. Set in the freezer for 10 minutes if you need them to set right away. Yum!