Triple Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Food

DARK CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT FUDGE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, peppermint extract, and salt in a large microwave-safe bowl.
• Heat in the microwave on medium-high until chips are melted, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
• Pour chocolate mixture into an 8x8-inch silicone baking dish; top with crushed peppermint candies. Lightly press candies, using the back of a spoon, into chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until set, 1 hour.

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter an 8-inch square cake pan; line with parchment, leaving a 1-inch overhang on two sides. Butter parchment. Place butter in a large heatproof glass bowl set on a wire rack.
• Heat cream, sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, corn syrup, and salt in a heavy saucepan over medium, stirring, until sugar is dissolved and chocolate is melted, about 10 minutes. Attach a candy thermometer to pan; bring mixture to a boil, washing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 238 degrees, about 15 minutes.
• Pour chocolate mixture into glass bowl (do not scrape saucepan). Attach thermometer to bowl; let stand (without stirring) until mixture reaches 110 degrees, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. Stir in peppermint extract with a wooden spoon; continue stirring and folding until mixture starts to thicken, lightens slightly in color, and begins to lose its sheen, about 5 minutes.
• Pour mixture into prepared cake pan (do not scrape bowl); press evenly with your hands, then smooth top with a spatula. Sprinkle evenly with candies, pressing to adhere. Let cool 1 hour. Spread white chocolate over candies. Refrigerate until firm, at least 15 minutes and up to 3 days.
• Run a sharp knife around edges of fudge to loosen; remove using parchment. Cut into 1-inch squares. Fudge can be stored in refrigerator, between layers of parchment, up to 1 week; bring to room temperature before serving.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line two 13x9-in. pans with foil and grease the foil with 4 teaspoons butter. In a heavy Dutch oven, combine sugar, milk, salt and the remaining butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage)., Remove from the heat. Stir in chopped German chocolate and the chocolate chips until smooth. Fold in the marshmallow creme, pecans and vanilla. Spread into prepared pans., Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Using foil, lift fudge out of pans. Discard foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares. Store in airtight containers.

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT TREATS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in semisweet and bittersweet chocolate chips. , Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until set, 8-10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, melt white baking chips in a microwave; stir until smooth. In another bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Beat in melted chips. Add enough milk to reach desired consistency. Frost cookies; sprinkle with peppermint candies.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, scraping the sides once.Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Mix in vanilla.Sift together dry ingredients, then add in batches to the mixer, mixing until just combined after each addition.Gently blend in chocolate chips, reserving a few for the tops of the cookiesUsing a cookie scoop, add generous 1 tablespoon portions to baking sheet. Dot the top of each cookie with 2 to 3 chocolate chips if you'd like them to really show up on top. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until cookies are barely done but still soft and chewy. (Don't overbake!)Let cool on a baking rack. Yummy!

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch pan with foil. Bring the marshmallows, sugar, cream, butter and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until the marshmallows melt and all the sugar dissolves. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the white chocolate chips and vanilla, and stir until the chips are completely melted.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, and scatter the crushed candies over the top. Let cool to room temperature, then wrap and refrigerate until chilled and firm, about 2 hours. Cut into 1-inch squares.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Butter a 15x10x1-inch jelly-roll pan. Set aside.
• Combine sugar, butter, evaporated milk and cream cheese in 6-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally with whisk, 20-30 minutes, until mixture comes to a full boil. Boil, stirring constantly, 10-13 minutes, until candy thermometer reaches 234°F or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a soft ball.
• Remove from heat; whisk in all chocolate and marshmallow crème. Beat until smooth and glossy. Stir in almond extract and vanilla.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours). Cut into pieces. Store refrigerated.

PEPPERMINT FUDGE (NOT CHOCOLATE!)

Steps:

• Line 9-inch square pan with foil so that foil extends over sides of pan.
• Butter the foil.
• In large saucepan, combine sugar, margarine, and milk.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Add marshmallow creme, vanilla chips, and desired amount of food coloring.
• Blend until smooth.
• Stir in crushed peppermint.
• Pour into prepared pan.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Score fudge into 36 or 48 squares.
• Sprinkle top with additional crushed peppermint candy.
• Refrigerate until firm.
• Remove fudge from pan by lifting foil.
• Remove foil from fudge.
• Cut through scored lines.
• Store in refrigerator.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using) together in a large bowl. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or you can use a whisk) mix the oil, eggs, and vanilla together on medium-high speed until combined. Add the buttermilk and mix until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the hot water/coffee, and whisk or beat on low speed until the batter is completely combined. Batter is thin.
• Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Note: Even if they're completely done, the cooled cakes may *slightly* sink in the center. Cocoa powder is simply not as structurally strong as all-purpose flour and can't hold up to all the moisture necessary to make a moist tasting chocolate cake. It's normal!)
• Remove the cakes from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy - about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, 3 Tablespoons heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 1 full minute. Do not over-whip. Add 1/4 cup more confectioners' sugar or cocoa powder if frosting is too thin or 1-2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. (I usually add 1 more.) Taste. Add another pinch of salt if desired.
• If cooled cakes are domed on top, use a large serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops to create a flat surface. This is called "leveling" the cakes. Discard or crumble over finished cake. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer and spread remaining frosting all over the top and sides. I always use an icing spatula and bench scraper for the frosting. Garnish with chocolate chips, if desired.
• Refrigerate cake for at least 30-60 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.