Karen
I’m a big fan of indulgences. I know that’s not a message that most people expect to hear from a Health Coach, but I firmly believe that indulging in a high quality treat from time to time is quite healthy. Deprivation is no fun and certainly doesn’t create a sense of balance and pleasure in one’s life.
But note that I used the term “high quality treat.” That means…have the good stuff – the good dark chocolate, the croissant from that French bakery you love, the homemade cannoli from your favorite Italian restaurant. Instead of wasting your indulgences on Chips Ahoy cookies or chips eaten in front of the t.v., choose your treats wisely and savor them fully. When you indulge in this way – mindfully – you’ll almost always find that you’re more satisfied and less inclined to overdo it. Not to mention, you’re not filling your body with the chemicals, dyes, additives and preservatives contained in store-bought, mass produced “junk food.”
The next time you’re looking for an easy, oh-so-good treat, remember this recipe. If you’re a fan of the Peppermint Patty or the Junior Mint (and, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a Junior Mint?!) 😉 then this is one you’ll definitely want to try.
A few ingredients combine to form the peppermint “dough.” After hardening in the freezer for a few minutes, each little piece gets dipped in chocolate. In minutes, you’ve got an amazing little treat to be savored. Unlike the store bought version, this little candy is the perfect texture, rich in flavor and super satisfying (truly, one or two is all you’ll need!).
A high quality treat, to be sure! Enjoy!
Easy Homemade Peppermint Patties
¼ cup softened butter
⅓ cup light corn syrup
2 tsp. peppermint extract
3 cups powdered (confectioner’s) sugar
2 cups dark chocolate chips (I prefer Ghirardelli brand)
2 tsp. canola or vegetable oil
Combine butter, corn syrup, peppermint extract and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer for approximately 2-3 minutes or until the dough comes together (I like to put a towel over the mixer so that the powdered sugar doesn’t make a mess).
Remove the dough from the bowl and divide into sections (about 2 tsp. each). Roll each section into a ball then gently flatten into a little patty. Place onto a pan lined with wax paper. Once all patties are made, place pan in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Add oil to the chocolate chips and melt in the microwave in 30 second intervals (stirring between). Be careful not to burn the chocolate. When the chocolate is smooth and completely melted, remove the patties from the freezer. Dip each patty into the melted chocolate and set back onto the wax paper to harden for about 10-15 minutes.
Makes approximately 30 patties.
Note: if you’d prefer not to prepare all the peppermint patties at once, simply store some of the frozen patties in a ziploc bag in the freezer for up to 3 weeks. When you’re ready to eat them, simply remove them from the freezer and, while still frozen, dip them in chocolate and allow the chocolate to harden.
