[Sweets] - Homemade Truffles Recipe

As I mentioned in my earlier post, it's never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts. Below is a simple recipe I use to make truffles as gifts to others or a snack for myself.

I suggest you make it in a cool environment or during the colder climates because the mixture doesn't form as well when it's warmer. Also, if you love Nutella like me, then you can add 2 spoons into the mixture or melted chocolate for a hazelnut taste.

Ingredients

• 1 package of Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 package of Oreo cookies or equivalent
• 2 package of Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate OR 2 bas of Nestle's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Tools

• 1 small ziplock bag
• 2 quart sized ziplock bag OR 1 half gallon ziplock bag
• Large bowl
• Wax paper
• Large tray
• Microwave-safe bowl
• 2 Forks

Directions

1. Take 5 Oreo cookies and carefully split them in half so that the cream stays on one side of the cookie. Then place the 5 half-Oreos without the cream into a ziplock bag. Close the bag, and crush the cookies. These cookie crumbs will be used later for decorating.
2. Crush the rest of the Oreo cookies including the 5 half-Oreos with cream inside 2 quart sized ziplock bags or a half gallon ziplock bag.
3. Mix the bag of crushed Oreo cookies with the cream cheese in a large bowl until well blended. It should form a big dough-like mixture. 
4. Cover the large tray with wax paper.
5. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and then place it on the waxed paper-covered tray.
6. Melt the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl on HIGH for 2-1/2 minutes or until the chocolate is completely melted.
7. Place the truffles into the bowl of chocolate and roll it with the forks until it's evenly coated. Remove the truffles with the forks and allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the truffles back onto the waxed paper-covered tray and sprinkle some cookie crumbs on top. Repeat this step until all truffles are covered with chocolate.
8. Refrigerate the truffles for 1 hour or until firm. 

Tips

• Decorating - Instead of using Oreo cookie crumbs, you can choose to sprinkle on other decorating substitutes such as coconut flakes, cupcake sprinkles, and crushed peanuts or almonds.
• Packaging - If you plan to gift this to someone for the holidays, Valentine's Day or even use it as a homemade wedding favor, you'll need miniature baking cups (similar to the ones for cupcakes) and a box suited for your purpose. Place the truffles onto the miniature baking cups and then fit as many as the box will allow. Here are a few examples of boxes you can use:  Blue Cupcake Box, Valentine Boxes or White Wedding Bow Favor Box.
• Storing - To store the truffles for later, place them into a tightly sealed container and put them in the refrigerator.