Easy Peppermint Dessert

Ingredients

1. 1 package (1 lb) creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed (about 3 cups)
2. 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
3. 1/2 gallon peppermint stick, party mint or mint chip ice cream, softened
4. 1 container (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
5. 1/2 cup butter or margarine
6. 4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
7. 2 cups sugar
8. 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
9. 1 teaspoon vanilla
10. 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Instructions

1. 1In medium bowl, mix crushed cookies and 1/2 cup melted butter. Press mixture firmly in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan.
2. 2In large bowl, stir together ice cream and 2 cups of the whipped topping; spoon evenly over cookie crust. Freeze about 3 hours or until firm.
3. 3Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter and the chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly.Stir in sugar; gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until slightly thickened; stir in vanilla. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
4. 4Pour 2 cups of the chocolate sauce evenly over ice cream. Freeze at least 8 hours but no longer than 2 weeks. Cover and refrigerate remaining sauce.
5. 5Reheat reserved sauce until just warm. To serve, cut into 5 rows by 3 rows. Top with sauce and remaining whipped topping; sprinkle with crushed candies.

By Betty Crocker