Mint Bars

So my sister-in-law sent me this amazing chocolate mint recipe this weekend. Since I'm a die hard chocolate mint fan, I just had to make them right away! And oh, it was worth it. They were easy, tasty, and attractive. Unfortunately, the tastiness was greater than their attractiveness as testified by my lack of photos. ; )

Mint Bars

Bottom:
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup sugar
1 beaten egg
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Filling:
1/3 cup butter softened
2 cups confectionery sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
green food coloring (optional)

Topping:
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter

In a heavy saucepan heat butter, cocoa, and sugar over low until sugar is dissolved, stirring often. Remove from heat, stir a small amount of the hot mixture into egg. Return all to pan. cook and stir until mixture coats a metal spoon and reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from heat, stir in cracker crumbs, coconut and walnuts. Press into buttered 9x9 pan. Set aside.

For filling, beat butter, confectionery sugar, milk and extract until smooth. Tint with food coloring if desired. Spread evenly over bottom layer, set aside.

For topping, melt chocolate chips and butter over low heat until blended smooth, stirring often. (I used my microwave.) Remove from heat. Cool 10 minutes (I didn't wait nearly that long since my sister-in-law said she has had problems with it seizing up), spread over filling. Cover and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Cut into bars, store in fridge. Enjoy.