Triple Layer Chocolate Peppermint Bars Recipes

THREE-LAYER BARS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the butter, cocoa and sugar. Cook and stir over low heat until butter is melted. Stir a small amount of mixture into the egg; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until mixture reaches 160°. Stir in the wafer crumbs, coconut and vanilla. , Press into an ungreased 8-in. square dish. Let stand for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes. , In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in pudding. Spread over crust. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until firm. , In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Spread over filling. Refrigerate until serving. Cut into bars.

TRIPLE-LAYER COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Cut in butter until crumbly. Beat in eggs. Spread in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. , Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Sprinkle coconut over crust; drizzle with milk. Bake 20-25 minutes longer or until lightly browned. , Meanwhile in a microwave, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter; stir until smooth. Spread over brownies. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars.

PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick spray, and line with parchment paper, leaving a 1 1/2-inch overhang on both sides (this will help you remove the brownies from the pan later).
• Make the brownies: Place a medium heat-safe bowl over a medium pot of simmering water. Place the chocolate, butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar into the bowl. Heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is evenly melted. The mixture will be grainy; that's O.K.
• Whisk the eggs into the chocolate mixture one at a time, then whisk in the vanilla extract. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix with a silicone spatula just until incorporated. Pour into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
• Bake the brownies until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely.
• Make the peppermint filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on medium-low, mix the confectioners' sugar, sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, vanilla extract and salt to combine. When the mixture appears well combined, scrape down the bowl well once, then mix on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes. During mixing, the mixture will appear light and fluffy, but when you stop, it may look softer and more liquid. That's O.K.
• Spread the peppermint mixture over the surface of the cooled brownies and spread into an even layer. (It will be stiff but spreadable.) Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 15 minutes.
• While the brownies chill, make the glaze: Place a medium heat-safe bowl over a medium pot of simmering water. Place the chocolate, cream, butter and salt in the bowl. Heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is evenly melted. (Alternatively, this can be done in the microwave in a microwave-safe container in 15-second increments until fully melted.) Let the glaze cool for 5 minutes.
• Pour the glaze over the chilled brownies and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the crushed peppermints evenly over the surface. Return to the refrigerator to chill until the chocolate is fully set, about 45 minutes more.
• Use the parchment paper to lift the brownies out of the pan and use a sharp knife to cut them into 15 even pieces. For cleanest slices, dip the knife into warm water and dry with a clean towel in between each cut. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9-inch-square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing 2 inches of paper to hang over the sides.
• Make the shortbread: In a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Add butter and process until a smooth dough forms. Press dough evenly into the bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake until firm to the touch, and sides of the crust are beginning to pull away from the pan, about 25 minutes. Cool completely.
• Make the filling: In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine confectioners' sugar, butter, cream and peppermint extract. Beat until mixture forms a thick, smooth paste. Press filling evenly over shortbread. Chill to set the filling for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Use parchment paper overhang to lift the shortbread and peppermint out of the baking pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares (there should be 36 squares). Place squares on a rack placed over a parchment-lined sheet tray, and let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.
• In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt 7 ounces chocolate, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat, add remaining 2 ounces chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes.
• Add coconut oil, if using, and stir the chocolate until smooth. Spoon 1 teaspoon chocolate on top of a cut peppermint square, using the back of the spoon to spread chocolate to the edges. Be sure to fully cover the top of the square with chocolate. (Leave the sides exposed, though it's O.K. if some of the chocolate drips down.) Repeat with remaining squares.
• Let squares sit at room temperature until chocolate is set, at least 1 hour.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARS

Steps:

• For Layer#1:.
• Melt chocolate and butter, stirring frequently.
• Cream eggs and sugar; add flour and chocolate mixture.
• Mix well and spread in 8x8 pan.
• Bake at 350F for 20 min; turn oven off and bake 5 min more.
• Let cool.
• For Layer#2:.
• Cream sugar and butter together.
• Blend in cream and extract.
• Spread on cooled crust layer and refrigerate until chilled.
• For Layer#3:.
• Melt chocolate and butter together; pour over peppermint layer.
• Chill& cut into small squares (this is rich!).

TRIPLE LAYER CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 8" square baking pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray.
• To make crust - Heat chocolate mint chips and butter in medium saucepan over medium low heat until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in cookie crumbs. Press into bottom of pan.
• Bake 6-8 minutes or until fragrant. Cool competely on wire rack.
• To make filling - Heat 1/2 c chocolate mint chips and 1 T butter in small saucepan over medium low heat until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool to room termperature.
• Beat remaining 1/4 c butter and cream cheese in large bowl at medium speed until smooth. Beat in 2 T cream and peppermint extract and vanilla. Reduce speed to low; beat in cooled chocolate mixture. Slowly beat in powdered sugar. Stir in remaining 1/4 c chocolate mint chips. Spread over crust; smooth top. Refrigerate 15 minutes or until set.
• To make topping - Meanwhile, place chopped chocolate in medium bowl. Bring cream to a boil in small saucepan over medium heat; pour over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute; stir until smooth. Cool at room temperature 3-5 minutes or until slightly thickened but still pourable. Spread over filling; sprinkle with peppermint candies. Refrigerate 1 hour our until set. Store in refrigerator.