Exquisite Mint Sticks....

With the storms that have been passing through so many areas in the past 24 hours, I sincerely hope each of you have been in safe situations.  We have had no problems where we are, although there have been some rather strong storms in nearby areas.

Planning ahead is one thing that I try to do, particularly when schedules begin to be a little crazy.  That is  currently the case.:-)  Many things are happening in a very short period of time, so I was glad to have the time to work ahead on the lunch I prepare for the adult day care at our church for the first Tuesday of every month.  My two earlier posts this week were about Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread and Irish Soda Bread.  Tonight we get to the "fun stuff" - dessert!  And - it is even CHOCOLATE!:-)

You will need these....

....and these

to have something like this!

Drizzled with chocolate!  Yum!!

This is a recipe that I have had in my files for quite a number of years.  It was brought to a "Tasting Party" for the mothers of twins club that I was part of when our twins were younger.  I have probably not mentioned earlier that our youngest two daughters are twins.  They joined a sister who was 20 months old at the time!  We had some very busy years, but somehow we moms had time to plan some activities that were fun, like the tasting party!

Now, this recipe takes some time.  There are several steps, so you will need to be sure you begin your preparations in time to be finished when you want to serve them.

EXQUISITE MINT STICKS

1/2 cup butter

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup flour

dash salt

nuts, if desired

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

- Melt chocolate and butter together.  

- Beat eggs, gradually adding sugar and vanilla.  Mix into melted chocolate/butter mixture, stirring well.  Stir in flour, salt, and nuts, if using.

- Put into greased 8x8 pan.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Cool completely.

TOPPING

2 Tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 Tablespoon cream

drop of oil of peppermint

food coloring, if desired

- Blend all together; spread over cooled brownie layer.  Refrigerate until set.

GLAZE

1 square unsweetened chocolate

1 Tablespoon butter

- Melt together; drizzle over Topping that has set.  Refrigerate until set.  

- Cut into inch-wide strips.  

Now, to the "mystery" surrounding March 17.  There is one more hint I will give in this post.  I think this one is going to give it away.  I do need to mention that we do have some Irish ancestry, and I enjoy honoring St. Patrick's Day.  However, that is not why we are counting the days - only 17, now.

O'Fortune and Erin are excited, too!

I am hoping I will have some followers who will be able to come up with the reason we are anticipating the arrival of March 17.

I have noticed new followers.  Welcome!  I hope you will check in often.  I appreciate those who are following, and I enjoy reading your comments.

Next post - Chicken