Monday, December 7, 2009

Christmas Cookie Countdown- 18 days 'til Christmas


Today we made Chocolate Mint Squares. The girls loved this one because three layers meant three bowls and three sets of spoons to lick clean!


I don't know about you, but for me, the holidays aren't complete without the taste of mint. I LOVE mint as you will notice throughout this countdown. This is now minty recipe #2, and yes, I have a few more minty recipes to come before we're through :)

The girls and I were up baking this morning when Chris came downstairs to go to work. This is what he saw:

He took one look at our youngest and said:
" Sometimes you just need to get dirty to enjoy the full extent of it!"

So that's Our lesson for today.
Our kids don't really need to learn this one as much as I do. They come by it naturally :)
Thank you God for the opportunities we have to get dirty. And thank you that You came to make us clean again.

Chocolate Mint Squares

(slightly modified from joyofbaking.com)

Bottom Layer:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup coconut

Filing:
1/4 cup butter
2-3 tbsp milk
2 tbsp vanilla custard powder or vanilla pudding powder (I used the pudding)
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
2 cups icing sugar
green food coloring

Topping:
1/4 cup butter
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Bottom Layer:
In a saucepan on low heat melt the butter. Stir in sugar, cocoa and gradually whisk in the beaten egg. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens (about 1 minute). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, graham cracker crumbs, coconut. Press evenly into 9X9 greased pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm (about an hour).

Filling:
With a mixer cream the butter. Beat in the remaining ingredients. Add green food coloring to make the desired color. If mixture is too thick add more milk. Spread the filling over the bottom layer and refrigerate until firm (about 30 mins)

Topping:
Melt butter and chocolate chips over low heat. Pour over the filling and refrigerate.
When cool bring the squares to room temp before cutting to prevent the chocolate from cracking.
Cut into pieces. Makes about 25 squares.

5 comments:

  1. delicious! and, what cutie pies you have to bake with ;)

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  2. I am kind of a mint fanatic...love it! Can't wait to try this one out! :)

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  3. This looks fantastic! I really want to make this recipe soon :)

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  4. i'll get michael to work on this one, YUMMY!

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  5. This looks fantastic! I really want to make this recipe soon :)

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