Chapman Concierge celebrates National Chocolate Mint Day. Ideas and inspiration on how to celebrate on February 19th.

National Chocolate Mint Day

This annual holiday has been set aside for all the chocolate mint lovers to eat their favorite treats all day long. Chocolate mint options are available in ice creams, brownies, cookies, cheesecakes, fudge, candies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, cocktails and much more

Did you know….

• Chocolate mint is also a type of herb.  This herb is part of the spearmint family with edible leaves that taste like chocolate and mint.
• Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies first sold in 1951 account for over 25% of the annual Girl Scout cookie sales.
• In tea houses and dinner halls of the early 1900s mint sprigs and dark chocolates were served after desserts for patrons to ‘chew for good breath and to aid digestion.
• After Eights, introduced in 1962, were considered a classier version of the classic thin mint, with dark chocolate and rich mint center, considered at the time the perfect after dinner mint.
• The York Cone Company, which was based in Pennsylvania and originally produced ice cream cones, invented the York Peppermint Pattie in 1940. Unlike the existing chocolate-covered peppermint candies, York’s product was firm and crisp. It soon became the premier candy of its kind.

Try out these recipes to celebrate National Chocolate Mint Day.

Mint Frosting for Chocolate Cake
Recipe By: Handle The Heat
Prep time 15 min, Ready in 1 hour
Ingredients: 1 package cream cheese (8 0z), softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract
Green food coloring
Directions : In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in mint extract, 2 to 3 drops of green food coloring and 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed-beat on medium speed until fluffy and decorate cooled cake or cupcakes.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe By: Betty Crocker
Prep time 20 min, Ready in 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pouch Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
6 to 8 drops green food color
1 egg
1 cup creme de menthe baking chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
Directions: Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, extract, food color and egg until soft dough forms. Stir in creme de menthe baking chips and chocolate chunks.
Using small cookie scoop or teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Serve warm or cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Chocolate Mint Martini
Recipe By: Drinks Mixer
Prep time 2 min, Ready in 2 min
Ingredients: 2 oz vodka
1 oz white creme de menthe
1 oz white creme de cacao
Directions : Pour ingredients into shaker filled with ice, then pour into chilled martini glass. Garnish with chocolate stick and mint sprig.

Layered Mint Chocolate Fudge
Recipe By:EAGLE BRAND(R)
Prep time 20 min, Ready in 2 hours 20 min
Ingredients: 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 oz) can EAGLE BRAND(R) Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon peppermint extract
6 oz. white confectioners coating* or white chocolate chips
Green food coloring (optional)
Directions: In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate chips with 1 cup sweetened condensed milk; add vanilla. Spread half the mixture into wax-paper-lined 8-or9-inch square pan; chill 10 min. or until firm. Hold remaining chocolate mixture at room temperature. In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt white confectioners coating with remaining sweetened condensed milk (mixture will be thick). Add peppermint extract and food coloring (optional). Spread on chilled chocolate layer; chill 10 minutes longer or until firm. Spread reserved chocolate mixture on mint layer. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

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