Slather Ritz cracker sandwiches with an easy peppermint filling, dunk them in
chocolate, and top them with a little sprinkle of crushed candy canes to make
these tasty Chocolate Covered Peppermint Ritz Cookies. These fun and
festive little treats are just perfect for Christmas day cookie
trays, cookie exchanges, gifting from the kitchen, and anytime holiday nibbling.
You know those classic
peanut butter Ritz cookies, where you slather Ritz crackers with creamy peanut butter, slap them
together to make a sandwich, and cover the whole thing in chocolate?
Those tasty little beauties that everyone seems to love?
Well, these Chocolate Covered Peppermint Ritz Cookies are just like those --
except with a fun and festive peppermint filling instead. Oh y'all, they
are soo good!
And this peppermint version is truly just as easy to make as their peanut
butter counterparts.
To make the peppermint filling, you take advantage of a container of prepared
store-bought vanilla frosting as the base. Then, mix in crushed candy canes to
turn it into a super tasty pepperminty delight. It's such an easy
filling to make.
To make the peppermint filling, take advantage of a container of prepared store-bought vanilla frosting as the base.
Spread the pepperminty frosting between Ritz crackers to create cracker
sandwiches, dip them in chocolate, and top each one with a little sprinkle of
crushed candy canes -- And you're good to go with enjoying this tasty
peppermint treat.
These little peppermint beauties debuted to rave reviews at our house,
especially with our 10-year-old daughter. She's a huge fan of the
original peanut butter version, so I wondered if she'd take to these as
well. She sure did! -- And she may actually like the Peppermint Ritz
Cookies even more.
With their ease of prep, peppermint deliciousness, and festive look, Chocolate
Covered Peppermint Ritz Cookies are fabulous for
Christmas day cookie trays,
Christmas cookie exchange ideas, gifting from the kitchen, or for anytime holiday nibbling.
Chocolate Covered Peppermint Ritz Cookies Ingredients
It takes just 5 simple ingredients to make these super tasty peppermint Ritz cracker cookies. To whip up a batch, you'll need:
- Ritz crackers - The richness of these classic round, buttery crackers are perfect paired with peppermint filling and a dunk in chocolate.
- Prepared vanilla frosting - Serves as the base for the super-easy peppermint filling.
- Crushed candy canes - Finely crushed candy canes bring the peppermint deliciousness to the filling, while coarsely crushed ones adorn the cookies' tops.
- Chocolate candy melts or almond bark coating - You'll need just about 16-ounces of chocolate to make 40 cookies. I usually use Make 'n Mold chocolate flavored candy wafers, available at most craft stores. Or, Plymouth Pantry brand chocolate flavored almond bark coating, available in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
- Shortening (such as Crisco) - Adding just a small touch of shortening -- 2 teaspoons, -- to the chocolate thins it a bit and creates a nice, smooth chocolate coating on the finished cookies.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Peppermint Ritz Cookies
To prepare the peppermint filling, scoop canned vanilla frosting into a small mixing bowl. Then stir in a hearty dose of finely crushed candy canes. That's it -- super easy, right?
Spread a thick layer of peppermint filling (about 3/4 of a teaspoon for each one) on a bunch of Ritz crackers. Top each with another Ritz cracker to make cracker sandwiches.
Then dip each cracker sandwich in melted chocolate.
Be sure to coat the cracker sandwich completely.
Place each chocolate-dipped cookie on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Immediately sprinkle the top of each with a little pinch of coarsely crushed candy canes.
Allow the cookies to stand until the chocolate is fully set. Or, pop the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to speed the setting process along.
Once set, place the Peppermint Ritz Cookies in an airtight container for storage. They can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator, if you prefer.
Then these fun and festive little treats are ready for holiday enjoying!
Pop them in the cookie jar for anytime nibbling, serve them up on your Christmas day cookie tray, include them in your Christmas cookie exchange, or package them up as a fun little gift from the kitchen.
But one thing's for sure, no matter how or when you choose to enjoy them, Chocolate Covered Peppermint Ritz Cookies are certainly one tasty little peppermint sweet treat.
Check out these other tasty cracker candy recipes:
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you back soon!
Yield: about 40
Chocolate Covered Peppermint Ritz Cookies
Slather Ritz cracker sandwiches with an easy peppermint filling, dunk them in chocolate, and top them with a little sprinkle of crushed candy canes to make these tasty Chocolate Covered Peppermint Ritz Cookies. Perfect for Christmas day cookie trays, cookie exchanges, gifting from the kitchen, and anytime holiday nibbling.
Prep time: 40 MinTotal time: 40 Min
Ingredients
Peppermint Filling:
- 1 (16 oz.) can vanilla frosting
- 10 regular-sized peppermint candy canes, finely crushed
Chocolate Covered Ritz Cookies:
- 80 Ritz crackers
- 1 (12 oz. or 16 oz.) package chocolate candy melts or Almond Bark coating*
- 2 tsp. shortening (such as Crisco)
- about 3 regular-sized peppermint candy canes, coarsely crushed
Instructions
Prepare Peppermint Filling:
- Scoop frosting into a small mixing bowl.
- Add finely crushed candy canes. Stir until well combined.
Prepare Chocolate Covered Ritz Cookies:
- Spread a thick layer of peppermint filling (about 3/4 of a teaspoon each) on half of the Ritz crackers. Top with remaining Ritz crackers to create cracker sandwiches.
- In a small deep bowl, melt candy melts (or almond bark coating) and shortening together in the microwave per candy melt package directions (typically in 30 second intervals, stirring in between).
- Use a fork to dip each cracker sandwich in the chocolate coating, covering completely, and letting excess coating drip off back into the bowl. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
- Sprinkle top with coarsely crushed candy canes.
- Let dipped cracker sandwiches stand to allow coating to set. Or for quicker setting, chill the dipped cracker sandwiches until the chocolate is set, about 15 minutes.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container. Or, if you find the chocolate coating to be soft, store in the refrigerator.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
- *I usually use Make 'n Mold chocolate flavored candy wafers, available at most craft stores. Or, Plymouth Pantry brand chocolate flavored almond bark coating, available in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
- You should be able to dip 40 cookies in 16-ounces of chocolate. You may want to start with making just 30 cracker sandwiches, just in case your chocolate coats thicker (and therefore, won't quite make it to 40 cookies).
- One regular-sized candy cane yields about 1 tablespoon crushed. If using different sized candy canes, adjust accordingly.
- Chocolate Peppermint Ritz Cookies can be made ahead and frozen. Freeze in a ziploc back or airtight plastic container for up to about 1 month.
This post is linked with Weekend Potluck, Meal Plan Monday.
I may have to try this.
ReplyDeleteLove the sweet/salty flavours you've got going on in these delicious treats! Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Community!
ReplyDelete