6 cups milk chocolate chips, divided
8-ounce container Cool Whip topping, thawed
1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1: Melt chocolate chips
Pour 3-1/2 cups of the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe mixing bowl. Microwave the chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one, until the chocolate is just melted and smooth. (Be careful not to overheat the chocolate as it could ruin the texture.)
2: Add Cool Whip
Scoop the Cool Whip into the bowl with the chocolate. Blend the two together using a hand mixer at medium speed. (You can also stir it by hand, but the mixture will be smoother and more thoroughly combined using a mixer.)
3: Press chocolate into pan
Line an 8×8-inch square pan with plastic wrap. Scoop the chocolate mixture into the lined pan and press it into an even layer. It helps to lay a piece of waxed paper over the top to press it into place, as the mixture is pretty thick and sticky. Cover the pan and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes.
4: Slice into pieces
Use the plastic wrap to lift the candy slab from the pan. Flip it over onto a cutting board, then peel off the plastic wrap.
Use a sharp knife to cut the slab into pieces. I did this by slicing it first into 16 squares, then cutting each of these in half to make 32 rectangular pieces.
Place the pieces on a baking sheet or tray lined with waxed paper, and place them in the freezer for another 30 minutes.
Tip: The candy will get sticky as you cut. If the knife gets too gunky, pause partway through to wash it off, dry it well and continue.
5: Make chocolate coating
Place the remaining 2-1/2 cups of chocolate chips and the vegetable shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl. Zap it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one, until the chocolate and shortening mixture is melted and smooth.
6: Coat Cool Whip candy with chocolate
Set a piece of candy on the end of a fork, hold it over the bowl of chocolate and use a spoon to scoop melted chocolate over the candy, covering all sides. Gently tap off the excess chocolate, then slide the coated piece back onto the waxed paper-lined tray. Repeat with the remaining candy pieces until they’re all coated.
7: Chill until firm
Place the tray of coated Cool Whip candy in the fridge and chill until the chocolate is firm, about an hour. Once firm, transfer the candy to an airtight container. Serve this copycat 3 Musketeers bar cold, and keep leftover pieces covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tip: You might notice a few splotches appear on the surface of the chilled candy. This is caused by the temperature change as the warm, melted chocolate sets in the cold fridge. Since Cool Whip candy needs to stay cold, this can’t really be avoided, but the good news is that they’re still tasty and fine to eat.
Be sure your Cool Whip has time to thaw before you begin. This recipe needs about 2 hours of chilling time and makes 32 pieces of candy.