Holiday sweets are a diva’s obligation. They just are. However, it’s our quest each year to find easy cookies that don’t need oven time – sweets that we can toss together in a bowl and come out looking like we spent all day in a hot kitchen (while we actually were getting a pedi).   

Victory! This mint bar is like a taste of December with a sprinkling of crushed candy canes atop dark chocolate with a mellow mint filling, just like our favorite mint patty candy bar. A chocolate crust officially makes it a cookie.   

Hide in the back of the fridge until ready to serve. Wishing you sweet holidays! 

Chocolate Mint Cookie Bars 

Makes about 2 dozen

2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided

1 cup butter, softened, divided

2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies (about 40 wafers)

1/4 cup milk, plus more if needed

1 1/4 teaspoons peppermint extract, divided

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar 

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Grease 9-inch-square baking pan. Melt 1/3 cup chocolate and 1/2 cup butter in a small bowl in microwave; stir after 15 seconds, being careful not to scorch. Microwave just until morsels are melted.  Stir in crushed cookies and press onto bottom of pan. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. 

Beat milk, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and vanilla extract with mixer until smooth.  Gradually add powdered sugar until creamy, adding more milk if necessary.  Spread evenly over cookie layer. 

Microwave remaining chocolate, remaining butter and peppermint extract in small bowl for about 15 seconds; stir and microwave just until morsels are melted. Let stand for 10 minutes. Spread evenly over powdered sugar mixture and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

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