Chocolate Mint Christmas Trees

Ingredients

Christmas Trees

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

• 1 (10 ounce) package white vanilla chips
• 2 tablespoons solid shortening (not butter or margarine)
• 1/2 cup chopped peppermint candies

Instructions

1. In large mixer bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and butter; beat until light and fluffy. Add flour, cocoa and vanilla extract; mix well.
2. On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 3/8 inch thickness. Cut with sharp knife into 1 1/4 inch strips. Cut each strip into 1 1/4 inch squares; cut each square diagonally into triangles. Place 1/2 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 13 minutes or until firm to the touch.
4. Immediately place on wire racks to cool.
5. Cool baking sheets; line with parchment paper or wax paper.
6. In 2 cup glass measure, combine vanilla chips and shortening. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute; stir. Continue to microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each time, until mixture is melted and smooth.
7. To make each tree: Dip long edge of 1 cookie triangle into melted chip mixture; place on prepared baking sheet. Dip long edge of second triangle into chip mixture; place uncoated corner over coated edge of first triangle. Dip long edge of third triangle into chip mixture; place uncoated corner over coated edge of second triangle to form tree.
8. Repeat with remaining cookie triangles. Drizzle remaining coating over completed trees; sprinkle chopped candy over tops.
9. Let stand until firm.