GRE 2009 #14

[baronessekat]

For the last new recipe of the year I tried

Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?RecipeID=39077&origin=detail&servings=32

Ingredients:
1 (12 ounce) package NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels
24 hard peppermint candies

Directions:
1. LINE baking sheet with waxed paper.
2. MICROWAVE morsels in medium, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70 percent) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
3. PLACE peppermint candies in heavy-duty plastic bag. Crush candies using rolling pin or other heavy object. While holding strainer over melted morsels, pour crushed candy into strainer. Shake to release all small candy pieces; reserve larger candy pieces. Stir morsel-peppermint mixture.
4. SPREAD mixture to desired thickness on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved candy pieces; press in lightly. Let stand for about 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Variations I did:

I used candy canes rather than the hard candy rounds. I also had read a few recipes that suggested doing a layer of semi-sweet chocolate, let it cool then do the white with the candies. I also added about 1 tsp of mint extract to the white chocolate.

Thoughts: the semi-sweet did not want to stay attached to the white chocolate. If I do it again, I will let the semi-sweet only partially cool THEN add the white. not let it cool completely.

Otherwise, I liked it and it was a nice addition to have a bit of candy with all the cookies I made this year.

Rating: 4

Comments

[campagnella.livejournal.com]

I did a peppermint bark this year too. Instead of using the meltable morsels, I used a block of white chocolate which I melted with a double boiler system. I added a nip of peppermint oil and I also used candy canes that I'd broken up with a mortar and pestle (not too finely ground) I didn't do the dark chocolate layer underneath, but no son wants me to give that a try next time.