Mint Sandwhich Chocolates

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I like to make candy the first of December because I always have something ready for whatever comes up. Candy stays fresh all month and is easier to make than lots of things. The secret is finding somewhere to hide them from your husband and kids (and yourself) These chocolates are my families favorite and they are very easy and everyone can't believe you made them. Buy 2 lbs. of chocolate drops and 1 lb. of green mint drops. Michael's Crafts sell these along with anyone who sells bulk chocolate also Hobby Lobby in Layton. I always get it at Kitchen Kneads in Ogden along with my nuts. They also carry Dutch process bulk cocoa that is heavenly. If you make anything with cocoa it is hard to give up once you have used it.

OK on to the recipe: Get a large sided cookie sheet and put four or five sheets of newspaper in the bottom cut to fit nicely. (this keeps you from cutting up the bottom of your pan when you slice the mints) Next put 3 sheets of waxed paper over this cut to fit. The better the fit the nicer the edges of your mints. Get 2 medium glass bowls and put 1 lb. of chocolate drops in. Now take out about 1/2 cup and put in 1/2 cup of good semisweet chocolate chips or you can just leave in the 1/2 cup of drops and have thicker mints. This is my change to the recipe since the drops are not real chocolate but they survive melting heat well. The chocolate chips improve the flavor a lot. Add 3 T. vegetable oil and 4-5 drops of mint extract. Heat in the microwave on 4 or 5 power for 3-4 minutes. If most of the drops are melted you can stir until they all are. Pour onto the wax paper and spread with a spatula to get as even as possible. Tap a few times on the counter to level. Let set in a cool place if you have one (don't refrigerate) for 20 to 30 minutes. The only problem these mints have is if you let them sit too long between layers sometimes they separate a little. Make the mint layer the same with the entire pound and 3 T. of oil and I always add a little more mint even though they already have some mint flavor. Pour over the chocolate layer being careful not to interrupt your chocolate too much as you smooth it out. Tap to level again. When it is set up melt the last pound of chocolate as the first and pour even and tap. Let them set an hour or so and then cut them with an exacto knife to the desire size. They cut easier if they don't set up too long. I just usually eyeball the width to about 1 1/4 inch. Its OK if they are a little skeewampus...they taste the same. Sometimes the paper sticks to the bottom and must be peeled off some of the squares. I put them into plastic bags and then into a Large Christmas tin and then store them in a cool place. They stay beautiful all month. This makes 3 lbs. I have often made 2 batches so I have e away. Enjoy!