Peppermint Cream Bites Recipes

PEPPERMINT CREAMS

Steps:

• Sieve the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add a little of the egg white and a few drops of the peppermint essence and mix really well. You want the mixture to come together as a soft dough, so keep adding a little egg white until this starts to happen (you might not need to use all of it). Taste the mixture and add more peppermint essence if desired.
• Divide the mixture into 20 small balls, then flatten them gently with your fingertips into discs.
• Place baking parchment on a large board or tray and space out the discs. Meanwhile, tip the chocolate into a microwavable bowl and heat in 30 second intervals in the microwave until melted, stirring after each blast. Once melted, leave the chocolate to cool for 5-10 mins then carefully dip the peppermint creams in the melted chocolate until they are half coated. Lay them back on the baking parchment to set for 3-4 hours or overnight.

PEPPERMINT COOKIES-AND-CREAM COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the vanilla, peppermint extract and eggs, then continue to beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
• Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture and beat on low speed until just combined. Fold in the peppermint puffs, cookie crumbs and candy-coated chocolates until evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
• Divide the dough into 3-tablespoon portions and roll into uniform balls (there should be about 25 dough balls). Transfer to a large plate or baking sheet and refrigerate until chilled through, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Meanwhile, position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment.
• Arrange the chilled cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each ball. Bake one sheet at a time on the center rack until the cookies have puffed, the centers are just set and the edges have just turned golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

PEPPERMINT CREAMS

Steps:

• Put the confectioners' sugar, condensed milk and peppermint extract in a medium bowl and stir together with a fork. Once combined, form a smooth, soft dough with your hands.
• Roll out the dough on a surface dusted with confectioners' sugar until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out different shapes with 1 1/2-inch cookie cutters, rerolling the mixture until it is used up. Keep any mixture you are not working with covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water or put the chocolate in a bowl and microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring between each one. Dip the peppermint creams into the melted chocolate until they are half covered, then let them cool and set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• If you are storing the creams, pop them in an airtight container spaced apart, dusted with confectioners' sugar and separated between layers of parchment to keep them from sticking together. They can be stored for 2 to 3 days at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CHEESECAKE BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line 18 muffin cups with foil baking cups.
• Combine chocolate wafer crumbs and butter in a medium bowl; divide mixture evenly among the prepared muffin cups, pressing firmly to form crusts.
• Bake in the preheated oven until set, about 6 minutes. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Keep oven on.
• Beat cream cheese in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract into a smooth filling. Divide filling evenly over the cooled crusts.
• Bake in the preheated oven until filling is set, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Remove foil baking cups gently.
• Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring after each melting, 1 to 3 minutes. Drizzle melted chocolate over cheesecake bites and sprinkle with peppermint candies. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

PEPPERMINT CREAM BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Line an 8"x8"x2" inch baking dish with foil, extending foil over the pan edges; set aside.
• In a medium bowl combine crushed cookies and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool slightly in pan on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, combine powdered sugar and softened butter in a food processor. Cover and process until butter is evenly distributed. With processor running, add milk and peppermint extract to make a paste.
• Spread peppermint mixture evenly over the prepared crust. Freeze for 45 minutes.
• In a microwave-safe bowl combine chopped chocolate and shortening. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until chocolate is melted, stirring once. Let chocolate cool for 15 minutes; pour over mint layer and spread evenly.
• Using foil, lift the uncut bars out of the pan. Use a 1 1/2 inch round cookie cutter to cut mixture into rounds or cut mixture into squares. Makes 30 cookies.