Peppermint Patties

 One of my favorite candies.   I freeze mine, to keep them fresh longer.  I actually love them frozen.

PEPPERMINT PATTIES

(makes 70)

Ingredients:

*1 cup sweetened condensed

*1 teaspoon peppermint extract

*5 - 5 1/2 cups powdered sugar

*1 (11.5 ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips

*1 teaspoon shortening (I use crisco)

Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, mix 1 cup sweetened condensed milk and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract for about 20-30 seconds.

~Mix in 5 - 5 1/2 cups powered sugar until dough becomes stiff and isn't sticky.

~Dust counter top (or parchment paper) heavily with powdered sugar.

~Place dough on top of powdered sugar and dust the top of the dough with powdered sugar.

~Roll dough out into 1/4 inch thick (dust rolling pin with powdered sugar).

~Using a 1 1/2 inch circle cookie cutter, cut out circles.

~Place cut dough onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

~Freeze for at 1-24 hours.

~In a double boiler (or microwave) melt 1 (11.5 ounce) bag chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening, stirring often.

~Dip frozen dough into melted chocolate, shaking off any excess chocolate (I use a fork to do this). I only take out a few out of the freezer at a time to do this.

~Place back on parchment lined cookie sheet and return to freezer.

~Ready to eat in about 30 minutes.