CHOCOLATE MINT PARFAIT BARS

CHOCOLATE MINT PARFAIT BARS image

Yield 48 bars

Number Of Ingredients 15

Base:
1 pkg. Chocolate Cake Mix (Devil's Food, Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Fudge -- I usually try to find the darkest, moistest one on the supermarket shelf)
1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 egg
Filling:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup boiling water
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup margarine of butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
2 to 3 drops green food coloring
Frosting:
1 12oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 Tbsp. margarine or butter

Steps:

Heat oven to 350F. Grease 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan. In a large bowl, combine all base ingredients at low speed until crumbly. Press in bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water; cool slightly. In large bowl, combine softened gelatin and 2 cups of the powdered sugar. Add butter, shortening, peppermint extract, and food coloring. Beat 1 minute at medium speed or until smooth and creamy. Blend in remaining 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth. Spread filling over cooled base. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips and butter, stirring constantly until well blended. Spoon frosting evenly over filling, carefully spreading to cover. Chill until firm. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator. Tip: For easier cutting, remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before serving.