Shamrock Bars {AKA Mint Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars}

I'm not sure what you feed the leprechauns in your world, but these went over pretty well in mine. It seems like those little green fellows favor anything minty, and with one layer of cookies and cream cheesecake and another of chocolate fudgie goodness, how could you go wrong? If mint isn't your cup of tea, simply use your favorite Oreo substitute. You are sure to find a winning combination.

Shamrock Bars {AKA Mint Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars}

*Recipe by Jasey's Crazy Daisy, Adapted from Cookies and Cups White Chocolate Butter Bars

1/2 cup cold butter

1 box devil's food chocolate cake

2 eggs

1 (8 oz.) block of cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

20 Mint Oreos, chopped into fourths,  15 for for the cheesecake layer, 5 for the topping

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray. In mixing bowl, combine dry cake mix and butter. Beat on medium until crumbly. Add eggs and beat until smooth. Spread mixture in prepared pan. Sprinkle 15 Mint Oreos, chopped into fourths, evenly over bottom layer. In another mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. Pour evenly over chopped Oreos. Make sure to pour as evenly as possible across the crust. It may not look like there is enough, but the batter will expand upon baking. If you need to, use a spoon to scoop batter from thicker spots to those that seem a little thin. Sprinkle reserved cookie piece over the top of bars. Pop in oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until center is set. Remove from oven. Set aside. Place chocolate chips into a zip-loc baggie and put into microwave for 20 second intervals. Squish the bag with your fingers to mix and smooth the chocolate between intervals. When melted smooth, snip a tiny piece off of the corner of the bag and drizzle over bars. Cool until set, the fridge can hasten this process. Cut and enjoy!!!

I think I'll have another. Thank goodness they are so easy to make!

Speaking of leprechauns, have you started thinking about how you might catch one this year? There's still time if you hurry. Maybe this is the year we'll get our hands on all that lucky gold!

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Chewy Mint Chocolate Cocoa Crispy Treats

Mint chocolate anything is always one of my favorites. Since this flavor combination seem to be everywhere this time of year, I thought I would share one of my favorite mint chocolatey treats with you. Rice Krispie Treats, meet mint and chocolate. Not only would they be festive topped with shamrock sprinkles or an extra drizzle of green candy melts for St. Patrick's Day, they are a perfectly easy treat for anytime just as they are.

Chewy Mint Chocolate Cocoa Crispy Treats

*Recipe  by Jasey's Crazy Daisy

4 1/2 Tablespoons butter

2 (8 oz.) bags of Jet-Puffed Chocolate Mint Marshmallows

6 cups Cocoa Krispies

1/3 cup Andes baking chips

Grease or butter a 8X8 pan. Pour Cocoa Krispies into a large bowl. In another large microwave-safe bowl, melt marshmallows and butter for 60 seconds. Stir. Repeat until mixture is melted and mixed together. Pour over Cocoa Krispies. Stir, using a wooden spoon, until mixed well. Keep mixing until all the crumbs are incorporated. Pour into prepared pan and press to spread evenly. I find it helps to spray my fingers, or a wooden spoon with cooking spray to press the mixture without sticking. Set aside. Place Andes baking chips in a zip-loc baggie. Place in microwave for 20 seconds. Take out and knead to mix. Repeat until mint chocolate is melted. Cut off a small piece of the corner of the bag and drizzle bars with mint chocolate. I usually place them in the fridge to hurry the process (but if you leave them too long, you will have to let them sit out to soften before cutting). Once chocolate has set, cut into bars and enjoy.

*Note - If you omit the Andes mint chocolate drizzle, the mint flavor that results from the marshmallows is very subtle. The drizzle completes the minty taste of these treats perfectly.  Next time I make these, I may even try to mix in some of the Andes baking chips just after the cereal has been stirred into the marshmallow mixture, and has cooled just a bit, before spreading the treats in my pan. Yum!

Now to wrap up a little business by announcing a winner! If you are tuned into my facebook page, you already know who won this cookbook.

If not, our winner is,

aliptak80Feb 27, 2012 08:12 PM

I love all of your ideas! My favorite cake is german chocolate cake! The photos you post of your cakes bring back so many memories of my grandma who used to be a cake decorator for many years!
Amanda

Congrats, Amanda, enjoy your new cakebook! What's your favorite mint chocolate treat?

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