Chocolate Mint Dreams

This cookie is another find from the Taste of Home magazines I've scavenged. If you make cookie trays that include these or the Mint Meltaways, be careful where you position them and don't put them on the tray until you are serving. Otherwise their potent mint flavor will envelop every cookie they touch, making for some odd tastes (mint-flavored pecan tassie, anyone?)

CHOCOLATE MINT DREAMS

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 1-oz. squares of unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

Icing
2 TBS. butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
1 to 2 drops green food coloring
1 to 2 TBS. milk

Drizzle
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 tsp. shortening

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in chocolate and extract. Gradually add in flour and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. (Dough will be soft.) Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet [or cover the baking sheet with parchment paper]. Bake at 375 degrees for 6 - 8 minutes, or until firm. Cool for 2 minutes before moving to wire racks to cool completely. Meanwhile, combine icing ingredients and spread over cooled cookies, [I use a pastry bag to pipe icing on top of the cookie] Let set. In microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening and stir until smooth. [Stir frequently while melting - the chips will hold their shape even when melted and are easy to overcook] Drizzle over cookies. [I dip a fork into the melted chocolate then wave it back and forth over the cookie] Yield: 4 dozen