Holiday Peppermint Bars
I’m a bit tired today after shoveling ice and snow on my driveway today. There’s about 1/2 inch of ice on top of snow this morning because the temperature dropped overnight. Hubby, my dad and I went to walk this afternoon and it was quite difficult to walk on ice 
We all had walking stick and we pretty much stomped the grounds to be able to walk. To make matter worse, the electricity went out in the middle of cooking and clothes washing. Arrrggh… Good thing it went back about half an hour later, in fact we met the PGE (Portland General Electric) guys in the road down from our house; they did work on it very quickly.
Okay, since it’s snowing, it’s white, and it’s almost Christmas, I thought I’d post this recipe. The color, red and white, is very festive this time of year and they’re bite-sized treats for any tummies. I don’t remember where I get the recipe anymore, but if you Google it you would find it somewhere. I changed some of the ingredients and measurements to fit my taste. These bars were meant to be brought for my church cookie exchange party but it was cancelled due to the weather last week. In the end, the host of the party invited my family to come to her house to eat some soup, cornbreads, and veggies. Since she lived close by we went there and it turned out to be a good decision, because a few other friends came too and we really enjoyed each other companies that night. There’s something good came out from a bad weather
Holiday Peppermint Bars
Makes about 4 dozen
Crust:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
Frosting:
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 or 4 tablespoons milk
Crushed peppermint candy, optional
Heat oven to 350 degree F.
For the crust, combine sugar, butter, and milk in a medium bowl and beat until creamy and well-combined. Stir in flour, pecans, and baking powder until well-combined. Press into the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking pan and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light brown.
Sprinkle with chips and let stand 2 minutes. Spread melted chocolate over crust and set aside to cool completely.
To make frosting: combine confectioners’ sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, and peppermint extract in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping the bowl often, until partly blended. Add a tablespoon of milk and beat longer. Beat in enough remaining milk to reach desired spreading consistency. Spread on top of cooled chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy, if desired.
Chill 1 hour or set aside several hours for frosting to set up before cutting into desired shapes.
this look cute and nice cookies for holiday!
they are, thanks!
Comment by beachloverkitchen — December 21, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
Looks delightful. Your photos are really lovely. Good luck with the snow! I’m up in Vancouver and the snow is up to my knees. I love it but then I live in an apartment and I don’t have to shovel snow. Have a happy and safe holiday season!
hi Syrie…the snow is about my knees too in my town. it’s been crazy days here too!
Comment by Syrie — December 22, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
These peppermint bars goes well with a cup of tea or coffee in front of the fireplace.
I shoveled our balcony while my husband shoveled the driveway. The girls helped too.
good thing I don’t have a balcony, otherwise I have to shovel there too!
happy holidays Lee Ping!
Comment by Lee Ping Chong — December 22, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
These bars looks like just the perfect thing to nibble on these holidays ! Merry Christmas girl
hi Kajal, miss you! thanks, i’ll enjoy my quiet christmas this year!
Comment by Kate — December 23, 2008 @ 12:06 pm