Creamy Chocolate Mint Melts Recipes

CHOCOLATE MINT CREAMS

Steps:

• Cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add chocolate, egg and vanilla; mix well. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, beating well. Divide dough in half; shape each half into a 2-in.-diameter roll. Wrap in waxed paper; refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 400°. Unwrap dough and cut crosswise into 1/8-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges are firm, 7-8 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Combine all frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Spread over cookies; let dry completely. Store in airtight containers.

CHOCOLATE MINT BITES

Steps:

• Heat the cream in a medium saucepot over low heat. Smack the mint between your hands to help release the oils; add the mint to the cream. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat, cover and let steep for 30 minutes.
• Heat the cream back to a simmer. Place the bittersweet and semisweet chocolate chips in a large bowl and strain the hot mint cream over the chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes to let the chocolate melt. Add the salt and whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and blended into the cream. Pour into a baking dish. Cover and refrigerate until chilled and set, 2 hours.
• Using a small round scoop, melon baller or tablespoon measure, scoop out tablespoon-size balls of the chilled chocolate and place on a baking sheet. You'll need some rubber gloves for the next part. Roll each ball in your hands so that it is uniform and smooth, then place back on the baking sheet.
• Place the crushed cookies, chopped nuts and chopped semisweet chocolate in 3 separate dishes. Roll each chocolate ball in one of the coatings, making sure it is completely covered. Place on a baking sheet, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CREAM CHEESE MINTS

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese, sugar and extract with mixer until blended. Roll into 30 balls, using about 1 Tbsp. for each. Place on parchment-covered baking sheet; flatten slightly.
• Freeze 10 min. or until firm.
• Melt chocolate as directed on package. Dip mints, 1 at a time, in chocolate, turning to evenly coat both sides of each mint; return to baking sheet. Top with sprinkles. Let stand 3 hours or until firm.

CREAM CHEESE MINTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, and confectioner's sugar. Mix in peppermint oil. Color as desired with food coloring paste, or leave white.
• Roll mixture into small balls, and place on waxed paper. Flatten with a fork dipped in confectioners' sugar. Let dry for about 2 hours on waxed paper, then freeze or refrigerate.

CHOCOLATE MINT MELT-AWAYS

Steps:

• For cookies:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 2 heavy large cookie sheets. Using electric mixer, cream butter and extracts in medium bowl until light. Beat in sugar. Beat in half of flour. Stir in remaining flour. Spoon half of dough into pastry bag fitted with no. 4 star tip. Pipe 2 1/2-inch-long ovals with solid centers on prepared cookie sheet, spacing cookies 1/2 inch apart. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake until golden brown on edges, about 12 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and cool.
• For ganache:
• Bring cream and butter to simmer in heavy small saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate and stir until smooth. Mix in extract. Refrigerate just until firm enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Line 2 cookie sheets with foil. Using small metal icing spatula, spread 1 teaspoon ganache over flat side 1 cookie. Arrange ganache side up on prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ganache is firm, about 30 minutes.
• For coating:
• Melt bittersweet chocolate and vegetable shortening in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from over water.
• Dip 1 end of 1 cookie into bittersweet chocolate. Grasp cookie on sides and dip ganache side into bittersweet chocolate; shake cookie to remove excess chocolate. Place cookie on same sheet, chocolate side down. Repeat with remaining cookies. Chill until chocolate sets, 30 minutes. Remove cookies from foil. (Can be prepared 2 weeks ahead. Refrigerate in single layers in airtight containers. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.)

CHOCOLATE MINT MELTAWAYS

Steps:

• For cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F Butter 2 heavy large cookie sheets. Using electric mixer, cream butter and extracts in medium bowl until light. Beat in sugar. Beat in half of flour. Stir in remaining flour. Roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slighty. Bake until golden brown on edges, about 12 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and cool.
• For ganache: Bring cream and butter to simmer in heavy small saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate and stir until smooth. Mix in extract. Refrigerate just until firm enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Line 2 cookie sheets with foil. Using small metal icing spatula, spread 1 teaspoon ganache over flat side 1 cookie. Arrange ganache side up on prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ganache is firm, about 30 minutes.
• For coating: Melt bittersweet chocolate and vegetable shortening in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from over water.
• Grasp cookie on sides and dip ganache side into bittersweet chocolate; shake cookie to remove excess chocolate. Place cookie on same sheet, chocolate side down. Repeat with remaining cookies. Chill until chocolate sets, 30 minutes. Remove cookies from foil.
• (Can be prepared 2 weeks ahead. Refrigerate in single layers in airtight containers. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.).