Bucket Handbag Gift - Peppermint Patties

Peppermint Patties

3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 -1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract

4 to 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 teaspoons shortening

In a bowl, combine milk and extract. Stir in 3-1/2 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar to form a stiff dough. Turn onto a surface sprinkled lightly with confectioners' sugar. Knead in enough remaining sugar to form a dough that is very stiff and no longer sticky.  Shape into 1-in balls. Place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Flatten into 1-1/2 in. circles. Let dry 1 hour. Turn and let dry 1 hour longer. Melt chocolate chips and shortening; cool slightly. Dip patties in chocolate mixture and place on waxed paper to harden

Yield: 3 dozen

For something different - I decided to make my patties in heart shapes.  Instead of forming balls, I patted out a portion of the "dough" and cut it with a small heart shaped cookie cutter.

Note: If you choose to cut them in a shape, it's helpful to refrigerate them before dipping them....to keep them from melting and loosing their shape.

I also drizzled mine with White Almond bark to "make them fancy."