Peppermint Patties

32oz powdered sugar
4 TBS butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 cup evaporated milk
24 oz chocolate chips
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Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper and set aside.
Put butter, vanilla, peppermint extract and evaporated milk in an electric stand mixer. Slowly add in powdered sugar until the mixture is the consistency of play-doh. (You don't want the mixture to be dry and crumbly, if it is add a little more milk) Roll into 1-2 inch balls and flatten into patties. Place the patties on the lined cookie sheets and freeze for at least 30 minutes. While they're in the freezer, melt the chocolate in a double boiler. When the chocolate is all smooth, remove one tray of patties from the freezer and begin dipping them in the chocolate one by one. (I used a fork to lower them into the chocolate, a spoon to cover them with chocolate, then lifted them back out with the fork, scraped off the excess chocolate with the spoon and I used a butter knife to slide the patties off the fork and back onto the cookie sheet.) When one whole tray is done, place it in the refrigerator to set the chocolate. Then remove the second tray from the freezer and repeat the process. When they're all set up, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.

I love, Love, LOVE York peppermint patties! So, when I found this blog, I got excited and knew I had to give this recipe a try. They were pretty easy to make and definitely worth the effort!

Peanut Butter Squares

Bottom Layer:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup melted butter
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Top Layer:
1 bag *chocolate chips
2 spoonfuls peanut butter
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In an electric mixer combine peanut butter, butter and graham cracker crumbs. Slowly add in powdered sugar. Press in the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan and set aside. Put chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stir and put back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat this process stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Spread evenly over the peanut butter layer and refrigerate until set.

This is a favorite recipe that I've had and made ever since I was like 12. These are super easy to make and everybody who tries these LOVES them!

*I like these with semi-sweet chocolate but my brother-in-law likes them with milk chocolate chips so lately I've been compromising and using 1/2 of each and they are delicious like that.

Chocolate Chip Frosting

1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
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Over medium heat bring butter, sugar and milk to a boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and vanilla. ( I usually have the chocolate chips and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and pour the butter, sugar, milk mixture on top) Using a hand mixer beat until cool. This will easily frost a 13 x 9 cake.

This frosting is excellent on Angel Food cake, brownies, Melting Moments cookies or by the spoonful!