Wednesday, February 29, 2012

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

7 comments:

  1. Well, if your followers don't get that hint, there is something sadly wrong! :-) It is a very blessed and exciting time for those in the family! These mint sticks are so wonderful that I wonder why I never asked you for the recipe before. Well, I'll have it now, and I'm sure these will make some appearances at church dinners soon. Thank you for sharing another marvelous treat!

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  2. Mint and chocolate are my two favorite combinations. YUMMY!

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  3. Wow that is yummy, okay are you having a wedding on Saturday the 17th of March?
    I mean that does look like a wedding cake pan. :) I am always a terrible guesser.
    So nice to stop in and visit today Nellie.

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  4. Farm Girl, you have it! I think I have lost some of those who might have been commenting in the past, or there would be more responses here. I will be posting more about this event on the blog in the coming days!

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  5. Good Morning Nellie, I wanted to say thank you for following my diet blog. I deleted the diet one this morning. I gained back up to almost where I started in Jan. So I just figured this is silly. You helped me each week and I am so thankful for meeting you and your friendship. The one good thing about that blog was I met you. I have my other blog which is http://fieldofmydreams.blogspot.com/
    I will be putting your blog in that side bar too. You have been such a encouragement to me.
    Thank you,
    Kim

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  6. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these. And I've been making them for years. SO good. I need to make them again. Also WHERE do I sign up for your blog by email. I'm missing too many posts.

    Love you girlfriend,

    Nann

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  7. Mom, I'm thinking about trying the exquisite mint sticks tomorrow...they would be perfect to post for St. Patrick's Day next week! :)

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