Chocolate Delights

 

Kelvin was out of town last weekend at a conference. While the kids and I had a couple of outings (including out to eat, which is a rarity in these parts!), we had a lot of at-home, reading and cooking time (Niall is now into cooking as well).  I am a big mint fan and found a  recipe for homemade peppermint patties.

We had to make and then chill the balls/patties, before melting chocolate and dipping them. 

Like with most of my (our) baking projects, the results are not always pretty, but they are tasty! 

With the leftover chocolate, the kids also wanted to dip strawberries, which were eaten very quickly!

Homemade Peppermint Patties

• ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk

• 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract

• 4 cups confectioners' sugar

• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips

• 2 teaspoons shortening

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Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.

2. Combine condensed milk and peppermint extract in a large mixing bowl; beat in enough confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, to form a stiff dough that is no longer sticky.

3. Form peppermint mixture into 1-inch balls and place on waxed paper; flatten with fingers to form patties. Let patties dry at room temperature for two hours, turning once.

4. Stir chocolate and shortening in a medium saucepan over low heat until melted; remove from heat. Dip patties, one at a time, into chocolate by laying them on the tines of a fork and lowering the fork into the chocolate mixture; tap the fork on the edge of the pan to shake off excess. Slide the patties back onto the waxed paper and chill in the refrigerator until set.