~CANDY CANE SQUARES

This can be served frozen or refrigerated, making it ideal for a holiday buffet.

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Crust

2 cups (36 wafers) finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies
1/2 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
Chocolate Layer

1 cup real semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup LAND O LAKES™ Heavy Whipping Cream
Filling

1 cup powdered sugar
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups LAND O LAKES™ Heavy Whipping Cream,
whipped
2/3 cup coarsely crushed red or green hard peppermint candies

24 small candy canes, if desired

* Combine all crust ingredients in small bowl. Press onto bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan. Set aside.

* Melt chocolate chips and 2/3 cup whipping cream in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth (4 to 5 minutes). Pour over crust. Place in freezer while making filling (at least 10 minutes).

* Combine powdered sugar, cream cheese and peppermint extract in large bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth and creamy. Gently stir in whipped cream and crushed candies. Spread evenly over chocolate layer. Sprinkle with additional crushed candy, if desired. Freeze 4 hours or overnight.

* To serve, cut into squares. Top each square with candy cane, if desired. Serve frozen or refrigerated. Store frozen.

24 servings

TIP: To crush candy, place candy in resealable plastic food bag and pound with a rolling pin or meat mallet, checking often to make sure you don't pulverize the candy.

TIP: To remove the powdery residue from the crushed candy, place crushed candy in a mesh strainer; shake back-and-forth until most of residue is removed.