Chocolate Mint Bars Recipe

Chocolate Mint Bars

from Sugar, Sugar - every recipe has a story
by Kimberly Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 (16-ounce) can chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 batch Chocolate-Mint Filling, made while the bars cool 1 batch Chocolate-Mint Glaze, made while the filling sets
Phone call to your grandma

Chocolate-Mint Filling:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Chocolate-Mint Glaze:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, at room temperature

This and many other wonderful recipes may be found in Sugar, Sugar
from Andrews McNeel Puplishing

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish (or use nonstick cooking spray). Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside. Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, blending well. Slowly add the flour mixture and blend on low speed until just incorporated. Add the chocolate syrup and vanilla and beat until the mixture is smooth. Pour the batter evenly into the baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 to 35 minutes.

While the bars are cooling, make the filling. Spread the filling evenly on top of the cooled cake layer, then let it stand while you prepare the glaze. When the filling is set, gently spread the glaze evenly on top of the filling. Place in the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours, or until the bars are set. Cut into 2-inch squares.

To make the filling:
Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until creamy. Add the milk and peppermint extract and blend until light and fluffy.

To make the glaze:
Place the chocolate chips and butter in a glass or other microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals on high power until the chocolate is melted, stirring in between.