The Swedish Chef: Chocolate Creme de Menthe* Squares

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Chocolate Creme de Menthe* Squares

This week, Swedish Chef has chosen a bar cookie that would be excellent to serve or take to a holiday party. This recipe is easy and festive looking. The combination of chocolate and mint is a big hit. I hope you will try this for your next holiday gathering!

FIRST LAYER:
Mix the following ingredients in the order given:
4 eggs, well beaten
½ c. butter, melted
1 c. granulated sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 c. flour
½ t. salt
16oz. Hershey's syrup

Add each ingredient and mix well.

Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 baking pan.

Bake at 350º for 30 minutes.

MINT LAYER:
2 c. confectioners sugar
½ c. softened butter
2 t. Creme de Menthe*
*If you prefer not to use Creme de Menthe, substitute ½ t. pure mint extract and 2 drops of green food coloring*

Mix well and spread over cooled first layer.

GLAZE:
6 oz. Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips
6 T. butter

Melt ingredients over low heat (or in microwave oven) and spread over mint layer.

Allow to cool completely. Cut into 1½-2 inch squares.

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Hi! My name is Randall Swanson, but I go by “Randy.” I am so excited to have you visit my website. I am 63 years old, a retired teacher, a father, and grandfather – and I have a passion for cooking. My father was a professional chef. My mother was a housewife, but an extremely great cook. I grew up having a home-cooked meal everyday.

I became interested in cooking as a young boy, watching my father or my mother preparing meals. I think this is what really influenced my love and appreciation for food. Although there were not many cooking programs on television, I remember, as a young boy, watching “The French Chef” with Julia Child. She spawned an interest for me in cooking. I began cooking at an early age, often helping my mother prepare the evening meal. This gave me the confidence to cook for other people. Over the years, I continued to watch as many cooking programs as I could. Many PBS chefs such as Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, and Jeff Smith were influences on me. Graham Kerr was also a major influence. I believe what I learned the most from the television chefs was technique, and it gave me the confidence to prepare various meals on my own.

I have appeared on WPSU-TV (State College, PA) several times giving cooking demonstrations in their “Alphabet” cooking series. Here in Warren, I have entered cooking competitions and have won the grand prize two years, and first prize in several categories. In 2008, one of my recipes was published in the Perkins Restaurant 50th anniversary cookbook. I have also done some small catering projects.

Although I prepare several Swedish recipes passed down from my father, my cuisine is very versatile. I love to modify and customize existing recipes, as well as creating my own versions of classic favorites. I hope that you will enjoy your visit to this website. I will be posting some of my favorite recipes and will try to show techniques through pictures. I would welcome your questions and comments. Let me know if you have made one of my dishes and what the results were. Once again, thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy!

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