Jerry's Thoughts, Musings, and Rants!

Midnight Mint Squares

This is another recipe that we make every Christmas - it wouldn't be Christmas without a few of these on the cookie plate. My grandmother used to make them every year so I've likely been enjoying these fro more than 40 years - a festive tradition. I'm one of those folks who think chocolate and mint belong together so these are one of my favourites.

As a crazed adult trying to get everything ready for Christmas I appreciate the fact that they are ready fairly quickly! This is one of those recipes that you can pull together in less than 30 minutes allowing you to save time for more important tasks - like sipping wine with pals.

Midnight Mint Squares

1/2 C. butter
1/3 C. cocoa
1/4 C. sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 3/4 C. graham cracker crumbs (about 28 squares)
3/4 C. flaked coconut
1/2 C. finely chopped walnuts

Filling:
1/3 C. butter (no substitution), softened
2 C. confectioners' sugar
3 T. milk
1 t. peppermint extract
Green food coloring, optional

Topping:
2/3 C. semi sweet chocolate chips
2 T. butter (no substitutes)

In a heavy saucepan, heat the butter, cocoa, and sugar over low until sugar is dissolved, stirring often. Remove from heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg; return all to the pan. Cook and stir until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in cracker crumbs, coconut and walnuts. Press into a buttered 9-inch square pan; set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, beat the butter, confectioners' sugar, milk and extract until smooth. Tint with green food coloring, if desired. Spread evenly over bottom layer; set aside.

In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter over low heat until blended and smooth, stirring often. Cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Spread evenly over filling. Cover and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Cut into bars.

Neopolitan Squares

Years (YEARS!!!!!) ago when I was younger we'd often go and spend weeks in the summer with my grandparents. One of the treats that my grandmother would always buy was a carton of neopolitan ice cream - my sister and I would fight over who got to each which layer (with boring vanilla always being the last).

These squares are like that brick of ice cream from my childhood with three distinct layers - each with a different colour and flavour. This is an old recipe - everyone loves them - even those who hate coconut. Since they are rather sweet I cut the squares tiny (7x7) - this also means that there are more of them to enjoy.

the nice thing about this square recipe is that it is relatively simple with few ingredients - perfect for Christmas baking when time is at a premium!

Neopolitan Squares

 

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 C. butter, melted

1/3 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 cups coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cbutter, softened

2 cups icing sugar

2 T cream

1 tsp. almond flavouring

red or pink food coloring

Mix the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and flour together and press into the bottom of a buttered 9x9 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven.

Mix the coconut and sweetened condensed milk and carefullyspread on the baked crust. Bake for 40 minutes until lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Beat the butter, powdered sugar, cream, almond flavour, and food coloring until light and fluffy. Add additional water if necessary to get a light and fluffy frosting. Spread on cooled squares.

Refrigerate until the frosting is set. This makes it easier tocut into nice squares. Run knife under water and wipe off with a paper towel in between cuts to make clean cuts.