Pink Peppermint Parfait Bars-12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies

We have finally arrived at the last week of 12 Week's of Christmas Treats hosted by Brenda from Menu Planning Magic.  Unfortunately, I missed last week due to being down with a respiratory infection.  I wasn't cooking or baking at all last week.

The bar cookie I am sharing this week is another versatile one, as the filling can be varied by using different flavorings and food colorings.  Besides peppermint, some good fillings are mint with green food coloring, cherry with pink food coloring, orange with orange food coloring, lemon with yellow food coloring and almond with no food coloring.

These are very pretty on any cookie plate.

Pink Peppermint Parfait Bars
1 sq. unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 c. sugar
1 c. flour
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 c. hot water
4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c butter or margarine, softened
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 to 1 t. flavoring extract
2 to 3 drops food coloring
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 T. butter or margarine, softened

Combine butter and melted chocolate and mix well.  Stir in sugar until well blended.  Stir in flour to make a stiff dough.  Press dough into a foil-lined 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Soften gelatin in hot water, mixing well.  In large mixing bowl, combine gelatin, 2 c. of the powdered sugar, margarine, shortening, flavoring and food coloring.  Beat 1 minute at medium speed or until smooth and creamy  Blend in remaining 2 c. powdered sugar, beating until smooth.  Spread evenly over cooled crust.  Chill.  Place the chocolate chips and margarine or butter in a 2 cup glass measuring cup.  Microwave at 70 percent power for 1 minute.  Stir well.  Microwave in additional 10-second increments at 70 percent power, stirring between heatings if necessary.  Spread evenly over filling.  Chill till set.  Cut into bars.  Makes about 36.  Although it is not mandatory, these are best kept in the refrigerator.

Check out the links below to see what other bloggers have made this week.


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