The Vegan Cookie Connoisseur Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing © 2010 by Kelly Peloza ISBN: 978-1616081218

Reprinted with permission from the author, Kelly Peloza.

Chocolate Peppermint Cream Bars
Makes 2-3 dozen

Whoa, man! These are pure chocolate and peppermint bliss! They’re not all that difficult or time consuming either, despite having three layers. They do call for a lot of chocolate chips, but feel free to halve the recipe and make in an 8×4-inch bread pan. Don’t even wait for the holidays to make these.

Ingredients

Bottom Layer:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup soy milk
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 scant cups flour
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Peppermint Cream:

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• 3-4 drops green food coloring (optional, but attractive)
• 2 tablespoons soy milk, plus more if needed

Chocolate Layer:

• 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Bottom Layer: Melt the chocolate chips either in the microwave or in a glass bowl placed in boiling water. Remove from heat and stir in the soy milk and the cocoa powder. Cream together margarine and sugar with a strong fork, then add in the chocolate/soy milk/cocoa mixture and stir until incorporated. Add the vanilla, then the flour and salt. No need to sift.
In an 8×8-inch baking pan LINED WITH PARCHMENT PAPER (I cannot stress enough the importance), press out the dough evenly. Bake for 14-18 minutes or until the center is firm and the edges are done, then cool.

Peppermint Cream: Meanwhile, cream together the margarine and powdered sugar. Add in the peppermint extract and food coloring (if using). Gradually add the soy milk until the mixture kind of resembles frosting. If it’s liquid, add more powdered sugar. If it’s stiff or dry, add more soy milk. Chill in the fridge until the bottom layer is cooled.

Chocolate Layer (Make this at the last minute): Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in a glass bowl in boiling water, or over a double boiler.

Assembly: Spread the bottom layer evenly with peppermint cream, then chill in the freezer for about 5 minutes. Remove, then spread the top with the chocolate, creating a swirl pattern if you like. The chocolate will not spread out evenly due to the peppermint layer, but if you want it to be smooth, do a second layer of chocolate, halving the chocolate layer ingredients.

Let set, then cut as you like and enjoy!