Chocolate Peppermint Squares

Name: How to cook Chocolate Peppermint Squares - cookcic.com
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 40 squares
Cuisine: Us

Introduce

Chef :

Ricardo

Chocolate Peppermint Squares

If you like mints, you will love these delectable squares. I adapted this recipe from one published by Melissa Clark in The New York Times.

Ingredient

Food ration :

40 squares

Cooking time :

2 hours

181 grams

unsalted butter, at room temperature

87 ml

bittersweet chocolate (at least 70%), chopped

Cooking instructions

* Step 1

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9-x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing 2 inches of paper to hang over the sides.

* Step 2

Make the shortbread: In a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, cocoa powder and salt.

* Step 3

Add butter and process until a smooth dough forms.

* Step 4

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.

* Step 5

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.

* Step 6

Press filling evenly over shortbread. With wet fingers, smooth surface with quick, circular movements. Wrap in plastic and chill to set the filling for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

* Step 7

Use parchment paper overhang to lift the shortbread and peppermint out of the baking pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into 1½-inch squares or as desired. Place squares on a rack placed over a parchment-lined sheet tray, and let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

* Step 8

In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt 135 grams chocolate, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat, add remaining 65 grams chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir the chocolate until smooth.

* Step 9

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.