Peppermint Chocolate Almond Crisps Recipes

PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE ALMOND CRISPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place cookie dough in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature 15-20 minutes to soften. Add flour, almonds, zest and extract; beat until blended., Divide dough in half. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, shape each portion into a 12x2-in. rectangle. Bake until golden brown and crisp, 20-25 minutes. Cool on pan 2 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely., Transfer baked rectangles to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut into 1-in. slices., In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip one end of each biscotti into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, sprinkle with candy canes and almond slivers. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Store between pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK - CHRISTMAS

Steps:

• Line a 9x12 pan with parchment paper.
• Melt the dark chocolate (use the method you prefer, either double boiler, or microwave - cook 30 seconds in a heat-proof bowl, stir and repeat until you have a smooth consistency.
• Pour the melted dark chocolate on the parchment paper, spread the chocolate out until it is about 1/3" thick. You can do this by hitting the pan on the countertop repeatedly, or maybe you could use a spatula to spread the chocolate.
• Melt the white chocolate, using the steps above. After the chocolate is smooth, pour it on top of the dark chocolate - trying to make the layers the same thickness. (it's best to do this step while the white chocolate is still very soft -- I've had them separate when I broke them into pieces, I think the layers "stick" together better if the white chocolate has not hardened).
• Unwrap the starlite mints, or peppermints of your choice and put them into a heavy duty ziplock bag. Using a hammer or meat tenderizer - crush the mints then, while the white chocolate is still melted sprinkle on top.
• Let the chocolates harden in the refrigerator for 2 hours, then break the candy into pieces. This needs to be stored in the refrgerator if you live in a warm/humid climate.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT SNAPS

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment and mix the sugar with the peppermint essence. When the chocolate has melted, cool for 1 min, mix with the sugar, then pour into the tray. Spread to a very thin layer and chill until completely firm. Snap into shards to serve. Perfect as a garnish for puddings or with an after-dinner coffee.