Candy Cane Dessert Squares Recipe

Candy Cane Dessert Squares

Frozen dessert with a chocolate crumb crust, a layer of chocolate ganache and topped with a peppermint flavored cream cheese with crushed peppermint candies.

Crust:
36   (2 cups) chocolate wafer cookies, finely crushed
1/2   cup butter, melted
3 T sugar

Ganache:
1   cup real semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3   cup   heavy whipping cream

Filling:
1   cup powdered sugar
2   (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2   tsp. peppermint extract
1 1/2   cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
2/3   cup coarsely crushed red or green hard peppermint candies

Combine all crust ingredients in small bowl. Press onto bottom of ungreased 9 x 13 baking pan. Set aside.

Melt chocolate chips and 2/3 cup whipping cream in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth (4 to 5 minutes). Pour over crust. Place in freezer while making filling (at least 10 minutes).

Combine powdered sugar, cream cheese and peppermint extract in large bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth and creamy. Gently stir in whipped cream and crushed candies. Spread evenly over ganache layer. Sprinkle with additional crushed candy, if desired. Cover and freeze 4 hours or overnight.

To serve, cut into squares. Top each serving with small candy cane, if desired. Serve frozen or refrigerated. Store frozen.

Tip :
To crush candy, place in resealable plastic food bag and pound with a rolling pin or meat mallet, checking often to make sure you don't pulverize the candy.
To remove the powdery residue from the crushed candy, place crushed candy in a mesh strainer; shake until most of residue is removed.

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