Holiday Peppermint Bars
For the crust:
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk-chocolate chips
For the frosting:
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon peppermint flavoring
3 or 4 tablespoons milk
crushed peppermint candy, optional
Heat oven to 350 degrees. 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-by-9-inch baking pan and bake 15 to 20 minutes or
until light brown.
Sprinkle with chips and let stand 2 minutes. Spread the melted
chocolate chips over crust and set aside to cool completely.
To make frosting: Combine powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt
and peppermint flavoring 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.
Makes about 4 dozen. |