Photos © 2011 Curly Girl Design, Inc./Leigh Standley. all rights reserved.
Happy Happy Happy Happy Valentine's Day!!! I am getting ready to put on my red heels and get into the shop to help the hoards of men-folk find the perfect prezzy for their sweethearts (yeep! so fun!), but before I go, I wanted to leave you with a little treat. This is a recipe for my favorite Christmas cookie that I made Valentine'sy by swapping out the sprinkles. I love this cookie and it is so simple to do I thought I would share!
My Minty Valentine Cookies:
You Will Need:
1 package of Almond Bark (Chocolate was used for this recipe…I found it at Target)
1 small bottle of Peppermint Essential Oil (NOT PEPPERMINT EXTRACT!! This is VERY important)
1 box of Ritz Crackers (use only the perfect ones…well, initially)
Seasonally appropriate sprinkles
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1.) Follow the directions on the back of the package of Almond Bark for melting. I have gone the double-boiler route, but honestly, the microwave works better.
Aside: I know that Almond Bark is not the most, um, healthy way to coat something in chocolate. I would much prefer to use real chocolate or at least something with cocoa as the first ingredient, BUT I have tried other things and nothing quite works/tastes the same. Also, it is my Mom's Cookie Exchange recipe and you don't MESS with those ladies.
2.) Once chocolate is fully melted, stir in EXACTLY 7 drops (be very careful here) of the Peppermint essential oil. Stir until well mixed.
3.) One at a time, coat crackers in chocolate. I use a fork here and flip the cracker around until it is coated, then lift it out with a fork and wag it side to side (careful to keep the chocolate in the bowl) to get the excess off and keep the coating even. The ratio of chocolate to cracker is important I think…they want to be sort of thinly coated.
4.) Lay cracker gently onto parchment and sprinkle with sprinkles. Cookies will set up on their own but a quick turn in the fridge will speed the process.
5.) When chocolate has hardend, pick up cookies and clean off the chocolate debris from the sides. Give to your sweethearts or enjoy!
**A note on giving: 3 of these little guys fit perfectly in a standard size cupcake paper. I thought it would be a cute way to bring them to the office or a party!
There you go! I hope you love them (I think they taste like Thin Mints!). Let me know what you think if you make them!
xoxo
