Peppermint Candy Tarts Recipes

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT TARTS

Steps:

• Lightly spray 24 mini muffin cups with cooking spray. Prepare cookie dough as directed on package except--use 3 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon water, 1 egg and the peppermint extract. Shape dough into 24(1-inch) balls; place in muffin cups.
• Bake at 375° F for 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Immediately make indentation in center of each cookie with end of wooden spoon to form a cup. Cool 30 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely.
• In medium bowl, beat powdered sugar, crushed peppermint candies, butter, milk, and red food color with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Spoon frosting into decorating bag with large star tip (#5). Pipe into each cookie cup. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Store in refrigerator.

PEPPERMINT-CHOCOLATE "TART"

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Whisk eggs, milk and extract in medium bowl until blended. Microwave 2 pkg. chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted, stirring after each minute.
• Add chocolate to egg mixture; mix well. Pour into crust.
• Bake 30 to 35 min. or until center is almost set. Cool.
• Microwave COOL WHIP and remaining chocolate in separate microwaveable bowl 2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 1 min. Slowly pour over tart; spread to completely cover tart.
• Refrigerate 4 hours. Garnish with crush candy before serving.

CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT TARTS WITH CURRANTS AND BERRIES

Steps:

• Make the dough: Pulse flour, cocoa, sugar, and salt in a food processor until combined. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces remaining. With the machine running, add water in a slow, steady stream, until dough just holds together. (Dough should not be sticky.)
• On a lightly floured work surface, shape dough into 2 disks, and wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days).
• Make the filling: Bring cream, sugar, mint, and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 disk of dough to a 16-by-6-inch rectangle, 1/4 inch thick. Press dough into bottom and up sides of a 13 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch rectangular fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Using a sharp paring knife, trim excess dough flush with the edges of pan. Repeat with remaining disk of dough. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Line dough with parchment, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until edges are dry, about 20 minutes. Remove weights and parchment. Bake until just darkened, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely in pans on wire racks.
• With a pastry brush, coat the bottom of each tart shell with an even layer of melted chocolate. Refrigerate until chocolate sets, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl. Let stand until softened.
• Remove mint from cream mixture, and bring cream mixture to a simmer. Whisk in softened gelatin until it dissolves. Remove from heat, and stir in yogurt.
• Divide cream mixture between tart shells. Carefully transfer to the refrigerator. Chill, uncovered, until set, at least 4 hours (or overnight).
• Carefully unmold tarts. Top 1 tart with red currants and 1 with strawberries. Garnish both tarts with mint stems. Slice and serve immediately.