Peppermint Goodies

Oh the melt in your mouth goodness of all things peppermint. What more could one ask for than a  piece minty magic. Holiday seasons are all about bringing out those tried and true recipes which have made their way through generations of family parties. Whether you're looking for something new or just something absolutely delicious, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Peppermint Cheesecake

2 cups of chocolate wafer cookies

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese, softened

1 (14 oz.) can of sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. peppermint extract 

2 cups whipping cream, whipped

Directions

Combine cookie crumbs and sugar. Add butter; mix well. Line 9-inch round cake or springform pan with foil. Press 2 cups crumbs firmly on bottom and part way up sides in prepared pan. Chill.In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in extract and food coloring, (optional); mix well. Fold in whipped cream. Pour filling into pan. Cover; freeze 6 hours or until firm. Garnish with topping. Store leftovers covered in freezer.

 

 

 Double Peppermint Crunch Cookies

1 roll Pillsbury peppermint cookies

3 cups white vanilla baking chips

16 round hard peppermint candies, crushed

Directions 

Heat oven to 350°F. In bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir or knead in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour until well blended. Shape dough into 72 (1-inch) balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool completely. In microwavable bowl, microwave chips and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil uncovered on Medium (50%) 2 to 3 minutes, stirring once halfway through microwaving, until melted. Stir until smooth. Dip half of each cookie into melted mixture, allowing excess to drip off; place on waxed or cooking parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Sprinkle each with slightly less than 1/2 teaspoon crushed candy. Let stand until set.

 

 

 Peppermint Chocolate Fudge

2 cups milk chocolate chips

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

dash salt

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

1/4 cup crushed hard peppermint candy    

 

Directions

In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with EAGLE BRAND® and salt. Remove from heat; stir in peppermint extract. Spread evenly into waxed paper-lined 8-or 9-inch square pan. Sprinkle with peppermint candy.Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off waxed paper and cut into squares. Store covered in refrigerator.