Peppermint Cream Bites

Oh yum!  Chocolate & peppermint, chocolate & raspberry, chocolate & peanut butter, all my favorite combos after just plain chocolate of course.  This recipe from Better Homes and Gardens  is so easy and so good you better have other people around to help you eat them or you will eat the whole dish yourself.  Oreo's the loved by all cookie is what I used in the base layer.  The recipe just calls for a chocolate sandwich cookie but we all know if you are gonna splurge on a cookie make it an Oreo.

Peppermint Cream Bites

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c crushed Oreo's
3 T butter (I think it need a bit more) melted
2 c powdered sugar
3 T butter softened
3 T milk
1 tsp peppermint extract
6 oz bittersweet chocolate baking bar (I used semi sweet choco chips)
2 tsp shortening

directions:

Preheat oven to 350° Line 8 x 8 x 2 pan with foil including up edges.

Pulse cookies in food processor till crumbly, add melted butter then press into bottom of pan.  Bake 8 minutes and cool slightly before adding next layer.

Meanwhile cream together butter & sugar, then add milk and peppermint extract to form a spreadable paste type consistency.  Gently spread over cookie layer, being careful not to loosen crumbs on bottom, I made a bunch of dollops and then spread them together.  Put into freezer for 45 min.

In medium microwave safe bowl combine chocolate and shortening till melted, blend well.  Spread over peppermint layer, allow to set.  Lift the whole thing out of the pan with the foil and cut with a sharp blade to get nice edges.  I used a spatula and had dipped it in hot water.  Store in single layer---if they make it to storage.