Truffles

Chocolate truffles are the classic Valentine's Day special food. Truffles are usually thought of as difficult, but they are not as bad as they appear. They can be lots of fun with kids. Chocolate truffles are named for their similar appearance to the fungus that grows underground, but the "dirt" on the surface is a tasty dust of your choice. Older children can help with cooking, and younger children love to roll balls of chocolate in various tasty coatings.

Homemade truffles are best kept in the refrigerator.

Good powders for rolling truffles include:

• Cocoa powder
• Chopped nuts
• Chopped pecan shortbread cookies
• Chopped chocolate chip cookies
• Candy sprinkles
• Small red hot or mint candies
• Cinnamon and sugar
• Hot cocoa mix
• Coconut flakes

Your kids may suggest other fun ideas.

There are many good truffle recipes. Here are a few easier ones.

Cream Cheese Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1-1/2 pkg. (12 squares) semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Melt chocolate in pan on medium-low heat or in microwave. Set aside.
2. Beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Gradually add sugar, mixing until well blended.
3. Add melted chocolate and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Refrigerate 1 hour or until chilled.
5. Shape into balls, and roll in topping of choice.

Easy Truffles

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (18 ounce bag) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Melt chips with sweetened condensed milk at medium heat in saucepan, stirring often.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
3. Pour into a bowl, cover and place in refrigerator until firm. This will take 1 to 3 hours.
4. Shape into balls, and roll in coating of choice.

Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, cut in small pieces
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate and butter. If necessary, return the pan to heat for 30 seconds while stirring until chocolate is completely melted and well blended.
3. Pour chocolate mixture in a shallow glass or plastic container and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
4. Dip a melon baller in warm water and scrape it across the surface of the cold truffle mixture to form a ball. Roll the ball into coating of choice.

More Cooking:

Brownie Hearts
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Easy Fudge Hearts (with recipe)
Easy Peanut Butter Balls
Edible Aquarium
Juice Cubes
Make Heart Shaped Cookies
Truffles