Chocolate peppermint squares

1 Dec

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I admit: chocolate peppermint is my least favourite flavour combo. I know, I know – I can hear your howls of protests from here. This unorthodox position has lead to at least two people questioning the fact that we could possibly be friends. On the plus side, I am the best person to share a box of choc with, as I will insist that you have the peppermint filling. No really – it is all yours…

These squares, or slice as we Antipodeans call it, are chock full of pepperminty pleasure. You can, of course, adjust the mintiness by adding more or less flavouring.

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Choc mint always reminds me of Christmas, though I am unsure why. Casting back through my (admittedly unreliable) memory bank I can’t recall any childhood association with choc mint. Maybe it has just been recent years and the sweetness of the peppermint candy canes that seem to breed in my children’s schoolbags has forced this association?

In any case, a plate of these squares at your next Chrissy shindig would go down a treat. Assuming guests don’t share my choc mint feelings…

This recipe is from the Cadbury’s website.

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GATHER:

1 cup plain flour
1 tablespoon cocoa
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup desiccated coconut
125g butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk
20g butter, extra

1 ½ cups icing sugar, sifted
Peppermint essence, to taste

125g dark chocolate, chopped
90g butter, extra, diced

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Let’s get to it:

Preheat oven to 180C and grease and line a 28cm x 18cm slice pan – make sure the paper extends 5cm above the top of the pan.

In a large bowl stir together flour, cocoa, sugar and coconut. Stir in the melted butter until combined.

Press into pan – using the bottom of a glass makes this easier.

Bake for 15 minutes, then set aside for 15 minutes.

Place milk and extra butter into a medium saucepan and carefully melted. Remove from heat then stir in the icing sugar and peppermint essence.

Spread over the cooled base, neaten with a spatula then put in fridge until firm.

Place chocolate and 90g extra butter in a heatproof bowl and place bowl over pan of simmering water. Stir until melted.

Pour over the slice and chill until set.

This slice should be kept in the fridge until just prior to serving : cut into small squares to serve.

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50 Responses to “Chocolate peppermint squares”

  1. cookingwithauntjuju.com December 1, 2014 at 10:14 am #

    Perfect holiday treat 🙂

  2. cheergerm December 1, 2014 at 10:34 am #

    I must confess to loving those old school styling 70’s boxes of after dinner mints (maybe because they are thin and don’t have much mint content) but am also usually a bit ‘meh’ when it comes to this flavour combo. However, I like the idea of the biscuit base on this and my wee lads would love it. So think I have to give it a try soon.

    • thehungrymum December 1, 2014 at 11:08 am #

      oooh, yes – After Dinner Mints! I remember being bribed by my parents with one… if I was good during their Fancy Pants Dinner Party I could have one. Naturally I was as good as gold 🙂

  3. houseofbedlam December 1, 2014 at 11:46 am #

    I can’t wait to attempt this one! Looks delicious!

    • thehungrymum December 10, 2014 at 10:32 am #

      thanks – this is so simple to throw together.

  4. Amanda December 1, 2014 at 12:47 pm #

    These look amazing! I love anything chocolate mint this time of year. Must try this!!

    • thehungrymum December 1, 2014 at 8:28 pm #

      Glad you like! Hope you do try them.

    • thehungrymum December 7, 2014 at 6:25 am #

      thanks Amanda! Hope you get a chance to try it out 🙂

  5. Arielle December 1, 2014 at 2:59 pm #

    Oh wow it looks so heavenly! I love your posts, everything looks so good! Very lovely blog ❤

    • thehungrymum January 14, 2015 at 10:57 pm #

      Awww, aren’t you sweet? Thanks so much, your comment has made my day 🙂

  6. chefceaser December 1, 2014 at 4:50 pm #

    Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.

  7. My Kitchen Witch December 1, 2014 at 9:19 pm #

    I’ll be your friend who shares your box chocolate mint squares. 😁

    • thehungrymum December 2, 2014 at 7:24 am #

      Deal! I’ll take all the choc orange in return 🙂

  8. vegeTARAian December 1, 2014 at 9:31 pm #

    Ooooeeee I’d love a slice please. This reminds me of Mint Patties bars wrapped in foil – we used to have them for treats when we were kids!

    • thehungrymum December 2, 2014 at 7:23 am #

      oh yes – I remember them! Back when I was a young ‘un they’d be a fav to buy at the corner shop if I ever managed to snaffle 20cents from my parents, so obvs my anti-choc-mint stance is a newish one.

  9. Margot @ Gather and Graze December 2, 2014 at 12:57 am #

    I’m up for anything with a choc/mint combo… always was more of a ‘Mint Slice’ than a ‘Tim Tam’ girl over the years! 🙂 This slice sounds fabulous HM!

    • thehungrymum December 7, 2014 at 6:27 am #

      It is a love/hate flavour combo, I am fast discovering! TBH I would prefer a plain choc treat over mint choc any day 😉

  10. Liz December 2, 2014 at 2:40 am #

    yum! I like peppermint best when combined with chocolate, so this is perfect.

    • thehungrymum December 2, 2014 at 7:18 am #

      glad to see you’re a choc mint fan – unlike my good self 🙂

  11. Kristy (Queen of Bad Timing) December 2, 2014 at 7:21 am #

    These look sooooo delicious! Definitely the perfect Christmas treat 🙂

    • thehungrymum December 2, 2014 at 10:36 pm #

      Thanks Kristy! Choc is the perfect treat at Christmas!

  12. lemongrovecakediaries December 2, 2014 at 7:46 am #

    I love the choc mint combo so this slice is perfect for me 🙂

  13. thefolia December 2, 2014 at 8:16 pm #

    YUUUUUUUMMMM! Wish I had a bite right now!

    • thehungrymum December 7, 2014 at 6:33 am #

      If I had any left I’d send it to you via courier pigeon but alas it is long gone…

  14. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella December 2, 2014 at 9:36 pm #

    They look great! I must admit that I either love or hate the combo and it really depends on the item itself!

    • thehungrymum December 2, 2014 at 10:34 pm #

      Good point – I think the more ‘minty’ it is the more I dislike. Yet I love Minties so who knows?!

  15. ChgoJohn December 3, 2014 at 3:33 am #

    I can’t explain why but, like you, chocolate and mint will be forever linked with Christmas. Like the previous commenter, though, it doesn’t always “work” for me — but that doesn’t mean I’ll give up trying all that are set before me. I’d sure like to give yours a try. That chocolate-butter pour has my mouth watering. 🙂

    • thehungrymum December 3, 2014 at 9:05 am #

      I love your positive attitude – willing to try anything without prejudice! If only you could teach your Yoda-esque ways with food to miss7 🙂

  16. Choc Chip Uru December 5, 2014 at 6:53 am #

    I am not a big fan of peppermint but I do love it when chocolate is involved (go figure :P)
    Love the photos!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    • thehungrymum January 14, 2015 at 10:55 pm #

      I think peppermint is quite evil TBH. Not much a fan of fresh mint either – unless it is in a cocktail 😉

  17. Nazia @ Your Sunny Side Up December 5, 2014 at 6:35 pm #

    I love peppermint this time of year, especially with chocolate, and these squares look fab!

    • thehungrymum December 6, 2014 at 12:26 am #

      Glad to hear! It is quite rich so a little goes a long way 🙂

  18. Sophie33 December 5, 2014 at 10:25 pm #

    Your special treats look so awesome & very appetizing, my dear friend! I Will make them soon,…yummmmm!

    • thehungrymum December 6, 2014 at 12:25 am #

      Oh thanks Sophie 🙂 I hope you do try these x

      • Sophie33 December 6, 2014 at 3:19 pm #

        I made them today & loved them! So new to me! x

      • thehungrymum December 7, 2014 at 3:51 am #

        yay! That makes me happy 🙂

  19. Jess @ whatjessicabakednext December 6, 2014 at 8:00 pm #

    These peppermint squares look so good! Love the flavour combo!

  20. chewtown December 7, 2014 at 3:47 am #

    Peppermint slice is THE BEST!! Yours look gorgeous.

    • thehungrymum December 7, 2014 at 4:05 am #

      Awww, ta Amanda! It is super sweet but tis the season!

  21. emmahealey December 7, 2014 at 11:57 am #

    Wow these look amazing! Peppermint and chocolate is a great combination, can’t wait to try them out!

    • thehungrymum January 14, 2015 at 10:54 pm #

      Thank you! Hope you get a chance to make them soon 🙂

  22. My Inner Chick December 7, 2014 at 9:07 pm #

    Just saved to my faves.
    I LOVE the chocolate layer on top. YESSS!! x

    • thehungrymum December 8, 2014 at 2:42 am #

      oh cool! Hope you get a chance to make it.

  23. myriam / rhubarb! rhubarb! rhubarb! December 9, 2014 at 2:25 am #

    choc mint is my least favourite thing, too, so I’m glad to meet someone else who will pass those peppermints on. i did have a chocolate mint brownie recently that i actually liked, though, so i bet these are wonderful — and certainly crowd-pleasers.

    • thehungrymum January 14, 2015 at 10:53 pm #

      I am so glad I’m not alone! I also intensely dislike Turkish Delight! I’m not the sort of person you give a box of chocolates to…

  24. Sara | Belly Rumbles (@bellyrumbles) December 10, 2014 at 2:57 am #

    They look great, love the combination of chocolate and peppermint.

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