Chocolate Mint Bars

By AzWench

Ingredients

• Basic Dough:
• 1 recipe Basic Dough
• 1 1/2 cups mint-flavor semisweet chocolate pieces*
• 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Details

Servings 3

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Prepare Basic Dough; set aside.

2. For filling, in a medium saucepan combine chocolate pieces and condensed milk. Cook over low heat until chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in walnuts and vanilla.

3. Press about two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Spread with filling. Dot remaining dough over the filling. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 36 bars.

From the Test Kitchen

Note *Note:: If desired, substitute semisweet chocolate pieces for the mint-flavor chocolate pieces and add 1/4 teaspoon mint flavoring with the vanilla.

Storage To Store:: Place cookies in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Basic Dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon.