1992 3rd Place: Chocolate Mint Sticks

36 Servings

Brownie
1 c Butter, softened
2 c Granulated sugar
4 Eggs
2 t Vanilla
4 oz Unsweetened chocolate
Melted
1 c Unsifted all-purpose flour
3/4 c pecans (or walnuts), Chopped
Filling
2 c Confectioners' sugar
4 T Butter (or margarine)
Softened
2 T Milk
1/2 t Peppermint extract
1 dr green food, up to 2
Coloring, if desired
Glaze
2 oz Sweetened chocolate
2 T Butter (or margarine)

Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan.

2. With an electric mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla until light, 2 minutes.
Add the chocolate and mix well. Stop the mixer and fold in the flour then the nuts.

3. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake just until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 minutes. Cool completely.

4. For the filling, mix all ingredients until smooth. Spread in an even layer over the cooled brownies.

5. For the glaze, melt chocolate with butter; mix well. Pour over filling and gently tilt pan so glaze covers the entire surface. Refrigerate until glaze is set; cut into squares or sticks.