Quick & Easy Chocolate Truffles

StartFragmentBe kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - PlatoEndFragment

The school year is coming to a close. There are only 5 days left of school and I'm excited and terrified at the same time. It would probably be more exciting if I had a job lined up for the next school year, but as it stands, I'm unemployed. I will also be completing my Master's degree in 2 weeks. Yikes!

As everything winds down, there are two main things on my mind (1) the people who have helped me through this difficult year (2) I'm broke.

I had to think of a way to adequately thank these people for all of the support they've given me without going even more broke. Usually, my solution is individualized boxes of chocolates. The nice thing about these is that they taste great, they're thoughtful, personalized based on the person's flavor preferences, and they get you a lot of credit.

This year, I made four flavors: Tiramisu, Orea, Mint Chocolate, and Hazelnut. A few years ago truffles were my specialty. For your birthday I could whip up a batch of any kind of truffles you requested. I made pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate brownie, lemon cream, and peanut butter crunch. Some flavors are easier than others and there are tricks to simplify some of the more complicated ones.

If you're gifting them, truffles sit really nicely in mini-muffin liners. You can put them in boxes (mine are from Michaels) or you can just plate them (which I did for my classmates).

Because I was strapped for time, below I'll list 4 of my easiest truffle recipes. Later, I'll let you know how to get real fancy with them.

Chocolate Orea Truffles and Mint Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 package Oreo cookies (plain or mint)

• 1 package cream cheese (8 oz.)

• 1 box semisweet baking chocolate

Instructions:

1. Place all cookies (except 7) in food processor until crumbs

2. In a bowl (or stand mixer) mix together cookie crumbs and softened cream cheese

3. Roll mixture into balls and place on wax/parchment lined baking sheet. (I use a 1/2 tbsp scoop to keep the size consistent)

4. Place in the fridge for 60 minutes-overnight to hold shape.

5. Remove chocolate balls from fridge and temper baking chocolate* in a bowl

6. Dip each chocolate ball in baking chocolate and coat completely, return to baking sheet.

7. Refrigerate overnight.

Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella)

• 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs

• Semisweet baking chocolate

Instructions:

1. Mix together hazelnut spread and graham cracker crumbs until combined

2. place in the fridge for 15-30 minutes until firm enough to handle

3. Roll mixture into balls and place on parchment/wax lined baking sheet

4. Refrigerate one hour-overnight.

5. Remove chocolate balls from fridge and temper baking chocolate* in a bowl

6. Dip each chocolate ball in baking chocolate and coat completely, return to baking sheet.

7. Refrigerate overnight.

Tiramisu Truffles

Ingredients:

• 60 Nilla wafers

• 1 tbsp instant coffee

• 1 package cream cheese

• white baking chocolate

• semisweet baking chocolate (for decoration)

Instructions:

1. Place Nilla wafers in food processor and pulse until crumbs

2. Combine cookie crumbs, cream cheese, and instant coffee in bowl (or stand mixer)

3. Roll mixture into balls and place on parchment/wax lined baking sheet

4. Refrigerate one hour-overnight.

5. Remove chocolate balls from fridge and temper baking chocolate* in a bowl

6. Dip each chocolate ball in baking chocolate and coat completely, return to baking sheet.

7. Refrigerate overnight.

* I use Baker's baking chocolate, melt it in the microwave, and add a little oil to thin it out

**you can decorate truffles with cookie crumbs, sprinkles, or nuts while the coating chocolate is still wet.

#food #chocolate #giftideas #shortcut