Peppermint Buttercream Bars

BASE:
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon whipping cream
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

TOP LAYER:
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
4 tablespoons whipping cream

Heat oven to 350�F. In small mixer bowl combine sugar, 3/4 cup butter and 1 tablespoon cream. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until light and fluffy (1 minute). By hand, stir in all remaining crust ingredients except chocolate chips. Press on bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand 2 minutes; spread over crust. Cool 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in large mixer bowl combine powdered sugar, 1/4 cup butter, cream cheese, salt and peppermint extract flavoring. Beat at medium speed, gradually adding enough whipping cream to reach desired consistency and scraping bowl often, until smooth (1 to 2 minutes). Spread over cooled chocolate layer. Refrigerate until firm (at least 1 hour) cut into bars. Store refrigerated.

Yield:48 bars