Homemade Peppermint Patties

Sorry for the baking hiatus, but with spring break I didn't get a whole lot done.  Now the kids are back in school, so let the fun begin.  First up are these super easy delicious little morsels.  I love this recipe because it only has a few ingredients and I can whip them up in a short time.  Plus they taste just like the store bought ones.  The recipe came from Homemade Peppermint Patties on Savory Sweet Life.
Here are the ingredients:

1 can sweetened condensed milk
5 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon peppermint extract
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons shortening

Directions:

1.  Add condensed milk, 2 cups of powdered sugar, and peppermint extract to a large mixing bowl.  Mix everything on medium speed using the paddle attachment until all the ingredients are well incorporated.  Add more powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is stiff but still pliable.
(I didn't read the directions fully and just dumped everything in together and mixed.  They came out fine.)

2.  Roll 3/4 inch balls of dough between the palms of the hands.

3.  Press each ball down slowly and set the flattened disk on a flat cutting board or plate.  Transfer peppermint disks to the freezer for no longer than 30 minutes.  While the dough is chilling, temper the chocolate coating.  (I put mine on cookie sheets lined with wax paper.)

4.  Place chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl.  Melt the chocolate in 30 second increments, making sure to stir after each time until chocolate is smooth.  Stir in shortening to thin the chocolate.  Remove patties from the freezer. (Again I dumped it all together and melted the chocolate and shortening.)

5.  Place a patty on the tines of the fork and dip in the chocolate until completely covered.  Allow excess chocolate to drip off the patty before setting each one on top of wax or parchment paper.  (Work in small batches, they will get soft the longer they sit out.)

6.  All the chocolate coated peppermint patties to completely set up.  This can be done quicker by placing the patties in the refrigerator.  The peppermint patties are ready when they are dry to the touch.

These were so good, especially when cold.  A little messy with the dipping, but the dough was really easy to make and handle.  Once frozen, they soften quickly so you have to work in small batches to dip.  I stored them in an airtight container in the fridge.  They only lasted a few days (we ate them), so not sure how long you can store them for.  Will certainly keep these on my make again list.  (Sorry I forgot to take pictures).