Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

suz

Well-known member
I came upon this recipe on TasteSpotting today. I plan on making them to bring to a XMas Eve dinner along with a Trifle. Looked like something someone here might like. Happy Holidays!

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES

www.RecipeGirl.com

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg yolk

6 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped (or use chocolate chips)

1 cup chopped Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses (or use crumbled candy canes)

2 ounces white chocolate

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 13×9x2-inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Line bottom of pan with long strip of 9-inch-wide parchment paper, leaving overhang on both short sides of pan.

2. Whisk flour and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually beat in sugar. Continue beating until mixture is light and fluffy, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla, then egg yolk. Gradually add flour mixture, beating on low speed just to blend.

3. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls into prepared baking pan, spacing evenly. Using moistened fingertips, press dough to form even layer over bottom of pan. Pierce dough all over with fork.

4. Bake cookie base until light golden brown and slightly puffed and edges begin to come away from sides of pan, about 30 minutes. Place pan on rack; immediately sprinkle bittersweet chocolate over. Let stand until chocolate softens, about 3 minutes. Using small offset spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate over top of cookie in thin even layer. Immediately sprinkle chopped candy cane kisses over (or candy canes).

5. Stir white chocolate in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. If it’s too tough and thick to stir, add a tiny drizzle of vegetable oil or 1/2 tsp. of shortening to thin it out. Remove from over water. Using fork, drizzle white chocolate all over cookies. Chill until white chocolate is set, about 30 minutes.

6. Using paper overhang as aid, lift cookie from pan and transfer to work surface. Using large knife, cut cookie into irregular pieces.

Keep refrigerated or can freeze.

 
Quite similar to Sugar Bakery's Peppermint Bark Shortbread I made last year.

Traca posted it and it was really yummy. There are a couple slight differences in the recipe but otherwise could be sibblings.

Peppermint Bark Shortbread,
Courtesy of Sugar Bakery & Cafe

Makes 24 2-by-2 inch cookies

Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar, plus 2 tbsp. for top
2 cups butter
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white rice flour
1/2 tablespoon salt
Parchment paper (optional)
1 pound semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Crushed candy canes (8-10 mini canes)

1. In a standard mixer or with a hand-held beater, cream sugar, butter and peppermint extract until light and fluffy.

2. Add flours and salt and combine until mixture just starts to come together. (The dough should be crumbly but stick together when squeezed.)

3. Line a 12-by-16-inch pan with parchment. Place dough into hte pan and break up any large clumps, spreading evenly.

4. Press dough down gently and sprinkle the remaining sugar on top.

5. With a rolling pin or drinking glass, roll out the dough evenly. (Use a little additional sugar if the dough sticks to the rolling pin.)

6. With a meat tenderizer or fork, press indentations into the top of the shortbread. (This prevents the shortbread from rising unevenly.)

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until shortbread is golden brown.

8. Cut into squares while still warm and remove cookies from pan to cool.

9. To finish, melt chocolate and vegetable oil over double boiler or in a microwave, watching constantly to prevent chocolate from burning. When melted, remove from the heat and stir to cool slightly.

10. Dip bottoms of shortbread in melted chocolate, then dip in crushed candy canes. Place on parchment to dry.

http://www.examiner.com/x-255-Seattle-Food-Examiner~y2008m12d9-Sugar-Bakerys-peppermint-bark-shortbread-recipe

 
Yes, similar..what did you think of using the peppermint in the shortbread?

I thought I might use some peppermint in the white chocolate.

 
It was yummy.

I was surprised it wasn't the hit I anticipated it to be. Not sure if people sampling a tray of cookies don't want peppermint stuck in their molars compromising the other flavors? Maybe it's the assertive peppermint flavor some people shy away from or they've had their fill of candy canes.

Either way I loved the trifecta of the shortbread, chocolate and peppermint together - lookswise and tastewise. -Tessie

 
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