Recipe: Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies

CHOCOLATE MINT SNOW-TOP COOKIES

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
10 oz Nestles mint chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups), divided use
6 tbsp butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
Confectioner's sugar

In bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

Over hot (not boiling) water, melt 1 cup chips, stirring until smooth.*

In bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add melted mint morsels and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup mint morsels. Wrap dough in plastic wrap; freeze until firm.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls; coat with confectioners' sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes, until tops appear cracked. Let stand 5 minutes on cookie sheet. Cool completely.

*Or, microwave chips in bowl on HIGH power 1 minute; stir. Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds longer; stir until smooth.

Makes 3 dozen cookies