Peppermint Oreo Cookie Bars

Christmas is just around the corner and it is time to break out the baking dishes and start the annual cookie marathon.  I always have to gear myself up for this as I am actually not a huge fan of baking. This year, I have to make 16 dozen cookies.  I normally stick to my favorite cookie recipe, cocoa kiss cookies.  This year, I was trying to mix things up and make something different.  I came across an Oreo Cookie Bar recipe on another cooking blog I read.  In my quest to find the perfect recipe for my cookie exchange, I decided to make these but use my favorite Candy Cane Joe-Joes to add another twist to the recipe. 


Peppermint Oreo Cookie Bars


Serves:  20 bars
Source:  Adapted from Lemons & Love


I package of Candy Cane Joe - Joes (Trader Joes version of Trader Joes)
1 can (14 oz) sweetened milk condensed milk (fat free)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 stick unsalted butter


Preheat oven to 360 degrees.  Crush 1 1/2 cups of oreos and set aside.  The remaining oreos in package coarsely break up and place aside.  Line 9 x 13 glass dish with foil.  Place stick of butter in middle of dish and place in oven.  Once butter is melted, sprinkle crushed oreos in bottom of baking dish.  Pour condense milk over oreos.  Top with coarsely crushed oreos and chocolate chips.  Bake for 25 - 30 minutes (hot and bubbly).  Remove dish from oven and place on cooling rack to cool.  Once cool, place in refrigerator to harden.  This will make it easier to cut.  Cut into 32 bars and serve.   


Outcome:  DISASTER!  The bars were amazing; however, when I went to cut them the foil stuck to the bottom.  I spent 30 minutes hand picking off pieces of foil.  I was able to salvage about half of the bars before I got pissed and threw the other half away.  If it weren't for the foil disaster, these would have been a keeper.  However, I had no desire to repeat the foil drama for 12 dozen more.  Looks like I'll be making the cocoa kiss cookies again this year.     


In the future, I am going to skip the foil and just put them directly in a glass dish that is lightly coated with cooking spray.   I think this will yield a much better result in the end!


- Miss J