No-Bake Chocolate Mint Bars – #SRC

What could be better than a rich chocolate dessert that takes hardly any time to whip up and is also a no-bake wonder? Not much in my book…

When I spotted this recipe for No-Bake Chocolate Mint Bars from Amy over at Fearless Homemaker, for this month’s participation in Secret Recipe Club, I knew this was one recipe I just had to make! I’ve always loved the combination of chocolate and mint so this one had my name written all over it! Thanks Amy!

I didn’t really make any changes to Amy’s recipe except that, instead of the green food coloring she’d used, I substituted orange as my little wink and a nod to Halloween. BOO!

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE MINT BARS                  {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Yield:  9 bars        Prep time: 30 minutes (including freeze time)

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
2 sticks butter, softened and divided, plus 3 tablespoons
1 3/4 cups graham crackers crumbs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-5 drops food color (your choice of color)
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Halloween jimmies

-Spray a 9″ square pan with baking spray. Set aside.

-In a medium sized microwave safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1/2 cup butter on low power and at short intervals, stirring until melted.

-Stir in the graham cracker crumbs and press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the square pan. Freeze while you prepare the middle layer.

-In a large bowl with an electric mixer (or stand mixer), beat together 1/2 cup butter, milk, peppermint and vanilla extract and the food coloring.

-Gradually beat in the powdered sugar (on low speed) until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If you choose to add additional food coloring, now is the time.

-Remove the crust layer from the freezer and spread the powdered sugar mixture evenly over the cookie crust layer. Return to the freezer while you prepare the top layer.

-Microwave the remaining chocolate chips with 3 tablespoons butter, on low power and at intervals, stirring occasionally until melted and smooth.

-Spread the final chocolate layer evenly over the powdered sugar layer and garnish with your choice of jimmies. Refrigerate.

-Cut into bars and serve on a scary plate (optional 🙂

                                   Kudos Kitchen By Reneé ~ Where food and art collide on a regular basis!

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