Quest Bar Chocolate Peppermint Star Cookies

Quest Bars are amazing.  I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again.  Not only do I enjoy at least one daily (almost ALWAYS for breakfast), but I use them as a base for healthy treats.  Here is one perfect for the holidays:

Chocolate Peppermint Star Cookies

 

These cookies are simple to make and require only three ingredients:  a chocolate brownie Quest Bar, powdered sugar, and either a candy cane or round peppermint candy.

 

 

First, make the cookies. 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

 

Unwrap the chocolate brownie Quest Bar and place it on a piece of parchment paper atop a microwave-safe plate.  You can either nuke the bar whole, or cut it into four pieces as I've shown here.  Microwave for about 10-15 seconds to soften the bar.  Remove from the microwave.

 

Working very quickly, place another piece of parchment paper over the Quest bar and roll it out as thin as possible.  Cut the dough into star shapes using a cookie cutter.

 

(If you don't have a star shaped cookie cutter you can use any cookie cutter, or just roll the dough out and cut into squares with a knife.  The cookies will taste just as delicious!)

 

Place the parchment paper with cookie shapes onto a baking sheet.  Bake for approximately 6-8 minutes.  The cookies will not spread - they will only crisp up in the oven.

 

Remove from oven and allow the cool.

 

Prepare the icing and peppermint topping.

 

Mix 2 tablespoons powdered sugar with approximately 1 teaspoon of water, milk, or almond milk.  Add liquid slowly and mix until it's "icing" consistency.  (I realize that is a vague description but we're not talking rocket science here!)  The icing in the photo is a bit thin, more like a glaze.  Adjust the liquid to your liking.

 

Put candy cane or peppermint candy in a ziplock baggie and crush with a meat mallet or other heavy object.

 

Decorate your amazing cookies!

When the cookies have cooled, dip in glaze (if very liquid) or spread icing on with a knife.  Sprinkle the top with crushed peppermint candies.  You're done!

 

 

Nutritional Information:

The entire batch of star cookies with icing: 272 calories, 10g protein, 30g carbs and 3g fat.

 

One-half the batch (which is plenty for a snack) is only 136 calories, 5g protein, 15g carbs and 1.5g fat.

 

Enjoy!