Shelly's Recipe

HOLIDAY PEPPERMINT BARS

Category: Bars

Crust:
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 tbsp milk
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Frosting:
3 cups confectioners sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
3 or 4 tbsp milk
Crushed peppermint candy, optional

Heat oven to 350. For the crust, combine sugar, butter, and milk in a medium bowl and beat until creamy and well-combined. Stir in flour, pecans, and baking powder until well-combined. Press into the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking pan and bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light brown.

Sprinkle with chips and let stand 2 minutes. Spread melted chocolate over crust and set aside to cool completely.

To make frosting: Combine confectioners sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, and peppermint extract in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping the bowl often, until partly blended. Add a tbsp of milk and beat longer. Beat in enough remaining milk to reach desired spreading consistency. Spread on top of cooled chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy, if desired.

Chill 1 hour or set aside several hours for frosting to set up before cutting into desired shapes.