Like a Frango Mint or Grasshopper Pie but even better, because it’s a bar!
I love the combination of mint and chocolate, and these bars remind me of the flavor of those Frango mint chocolate candies from Macys. But these are even better because they are BARS, which in my mind are the perfect, right-sized dessert. (unless you are like me and can’t stop at one bar!)
My mom makes these French Crème Chocolate Mint Bars each year at the holidays, and they are always a big hit. They’d make a great standalone dessert, but she uses them as yet one more pretty addition to her festive holiday treat trays.
Despite what you may think, these bars do not include Crème de Menthe. Instead they have a splash of peppermint blended into the crème layer with green food coloring, which gives just a subtle mint flavor that works well with the chocolate cake and the ganache-like layer on top. I had the chance to make these bars with my mom this past weekend and was surprised that this recipe is not too difficult for such stunner results! Bonus, you can make them ahead and freeze them until you are ready to serve them.
Christmas can’t come soon enough. I am coming for you French Creme Chocolate Mint Bars!!
Like a Frango Mint or Grasshopper Pie but even better, because it's a bar!
Ingredients
Bars
2 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Creme Filling
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
4 drops green food coloring
Chocolate Glaze
1 cup butter
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Method
Bars
1)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2)
Sift flour, sugar and baking soda together into a large bowl; set aside.
3)
Combine butter, water and cocoa in small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Pour over sifted ingredients and mix well.
4)
Beat in buttermilk, eggs and vanilla until smooth.
5)
Pour into greased 10 x 15 x 1 inch jelly roll pan. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
Creme Filling
1)
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and beat with mixer until smooth.
2)
Once the bottom layer has cooled; spread the creme filling over the top and chill until set.
Chocolate Glaze
1)
Melt butter and chocolate chips in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Add vanilla. Cool slightly.
2)
Once the creme filling has chilled, carefully pour chocolate glaze over the top of the bars.
