candy cane bar cookies

By mrsbagge

peppermint and chocolate bar cookies great for holiday gift packages

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (if salted butter is used then omit the 1/2 tsp salt)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg beaten
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup finely crushed candy canes or peppermint candies)
• 6 drops red food coloring
• 2 cups packed flour
• 1 cup chocolate chips (6 oz)
• 2 cups chocolate chips (12 oz)

Preparation

Step 1

350' oven - rack in the middle position

Melt the butter. Set is on the counter to cool.

Using an electric mixer - combine sugar, egg and peppermint extract. Add the salt and crushed candy. Add the food coloring. Mix thoroughly.

Wait until the butter is a little warmer than room temp. then add is slowly using low speed.

Add the flour in smal increments. Beat thoroughly after each addition.

Add 1 cup of chocoalte chips. Mix.

Spread evenly into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until it feels firm on the top.

Remove pan from oven, evenly sprinkle with remaining 2 cups choc chips. Immediately cover with foil or a cookie sheet to trap the heat. Let sit for three minutes. Then take off the cover and use a rubber spatula to spread the now melted choc. chips like frosting. **additional crushed peppermints can be used on top of this frosting if you would like them to look more festive

cool completely and then cut into bite sized cookies.