Creme de Menthe Bars
Sugarplums and Santa Clause and Grandma’s creme de menthe bars.
Grandma’s favorite, then momma’s favorite, and now mine. A vague recipe written on a yellow note card, but just enough detail to make it just right. For all the holidays I can remember, these cookies were in the mix.
Every year, we’d spend a whole day baking at her house. With the desserts we made, she’d put together Christmas cookie platters and tins to give to family and friends. Tucked away amongst the sugar cookies and Russian teacakes were the creme de menthe bars — quintessential Christmas mint, and creamy, creamy chocolate.
The base is made of the softest brownies I ever did taste. It’s made with margarine and chocolate syrup. The secret is to use Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Battles have been fought over brownies, but I would wager a bet on someone to beat this brownie.
I don’t know where this recipe originally came from, but these cookies remind me of home and family, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
Update: My grandma passed away in the fall of 2020, right before we were set to get married. One thing that I did get from her was her bottle of creme de menthe, which she had used to make these cookies. I look forward to using it myself to make these cookies for years to come.
Creme de Menthe Bars
Ingredients
First layer
- ½ cup margarine
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups chocolate syrup
Second layer
- ½ cup margarine
- 2 cups confectioner's sugar
- 2 tablespoons crème de menthe liqueur
Third layer
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 6 tablespoons margarine
Instructions
- First layer: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine margarine, granulated sugar, and eggs in a mixing bowl. Then, add flour, salt, vanilla, and chocolate syrup and mix until combined. Put in an ungreased baking tray, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Cool well.
- Second layer: Combine margarine, confectioner’s sugar, and crème de menthe in a mixing bowl. Spread second layer on top of first layer.
- Third layer: Melt together chocolate chips and margarine, then top it over the second layer.
