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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Truffles

Happy Holidays to all of ya!

After four parties, three Christmas programs, lots of shopping, a trip to Disneyland, losing my voice, and dealing with one teething and flu-sickened baby (still sick), I'm back. Apologies to my readers who have visited and have found me MIA. I hope you had a beautiful Christmas as we did.

This Christmas, I decided to make boxes of truffles for all of the kids' teachers and our local children's librarian after seeing the recipe in a Kraft Foods magazine, of all places. So easy but makes one big mess when you have kids.

Ingredients for the Truffles:
20 squares (20 ounces) of Baker's semi-sweet chocolate
8 oz. Cream Cheese

Ingredients for Decorating:
Sprinkles
Crushed Nuts
Coconut Shavings
Powdered Sugar
Cocoa Powder
General Foods International Creme Caramel Coffee Drink Mix
2 ounces Baker's white chocolate, melted

Baker's semi-sweet chocolate comes in packages of 1 ounce squares with 8 squares to each box, so buy two and half packages. I've tried this with Nestle Toll House chocolate also, but the Baker's gave a darker, smoother color that I liked.

Microwave cream cheese on high fo 15 seconds. Melt 8 chocolate squares according to the package and mix in the cream cheese until well blended. You can use a mixer but I did it by hand and it came out fine. Chill for about 15 minutes until the mixture firms up and then shape into 3/4 inch balls. Place each ball onto a silt pad or wax paper. I got 32 balls out of this.

Melt the rest of the chocolate squares according to the package. Take each ball and dip each into the molten chocolate. The recipe called for a fork for the dipping process, but I found a toothpick was easier. Don't worry about the hole left on top, as you can cover this up with large sprinkles, nuts, or other decorations.

Make sure you put the sprinkles or nuts on before the chocolate has already re-solidified or they won't stick. I also decorated some with coconut shavings. I also drizzled on melted white chocolate with a toothpick on some of the truffles. Make sure that the dark chocolate has already solidified before drizzling it on though.

A variation I tried was to take some of the balls and roll them into the Creme Caramel Coffee Drink Mix instead of dipping them in the molten chocolate. Came out nice. The recipe also suggested rolling them in powdered sugar, nuts, or cocoa, but I didn't try that.

Box the truffles up and they make beautiful Christmas gifts. I suggest making the truffles a day or two before giving them out, keeping them in the fridge, and make a note to tell your gift recipient to put the package in the fridge once they receive it from you to prevent spoilage.

16 comments:

Food For Tots said...

I never know that making these delicious truffles is so simple and easy. Tks for your sharing! Wishing you and your family a Great and Healthy New Year! ;)

SteamyKitchen said...

So pretty! Great gift idea

Jen Jen said...

Where's my truffle?

Cynthia said...

Hope the little one feels better soon.

Continue to enjoy the holidays!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I've seen the recipe. Your truffles came out great! You did a fabulous job dipping them. Mine don't come out as nicely!

Happy 2009!
~ingrid

Wandering Chopsticks said...

Ooh, very nice. They look so professional.

EatTravelEat said...

I never knew truffles could be that simple! Your truffles look like they came from a candy shop :). Hope you are all well and have a happy new year!

By the way I'm WSL98787 from before- but I started a blog so I'm using this account now.

Anonymous said...

I saw that recipe and I was so tempted to make it, but in the end I did not. I'm so glad to see it was such a success. Your truffles look so elegant and pretty.

shavedicesundays said...

Food For Tots, thank you for the well wishes. Happy New Year!

Jaden, thank you for stopping by my humble blog.

Jen Jen, was thinking of bringing some to the Christmas party, but you didn't show up anyways! Next time...

Cynthia, thanks for the concern. I'm taking R to the doc tomorrow. His fever is gone at least, but now he's throwing up all the time.

Ingrid, yeah the dipping part was the hardest part of the process, but I'm sure yours came out just as good!

WC, thank you! Keep yourself warm going to all those weddings!

EatTravelEat, hey you went and did it. I'll drop by right now, as a matter of fact.

inspiredbites, thanks, they really do make a big mess though. but I'm messy when I cook or bake in general anyways.

EatTravelEat said...

Thank you for the welcome, Shavedicesundays! Somehow the comment function on my blog is acting up for some reason and so I can't post there. Blogging is a great thing to do :).

shavedicesundays said...

EatTravelEat, looking forward to your posts.

Anonymous said...

I was so inspired by your post, that even though Christmas was over, I used the recipe for the cream cheese truffles after all and did a Valentine's Day theme for the decorations.

Thank you so much for all your inspiration. I also did a take off of your gingersnap flavor.

Yours truffles are so beautiful.

shavedicesundays said...

inspiredbites, I like your new site so far, and congrats on accomplishing something you've wanted. Looks great!

Sandy said...

So cute! I actually thought it was store-bought.

shavedicesundays said...

fourxseasons, really? Thanks!

Unknown said...

I was looking to make an easy and delicious treat to add to a gift basket for a family im staying with for christmas. So i decided i could try truffles. Your recipe seems like a very nice and easy way to making them so I'm gonna try it out this year. Thanks and i'll let you know how it turns out.
Tyler Richardson