12 Sweets of Christmas: #7 - Truffles Recipe

Quite a few years ago, and I really can't remember when, I came up with the crazy idea of not just making one or two different kinds of cookies or candies to give away during the Christmas season, but to make 12 different varieties, now known as the "12 Sweets of Christmas".  Once Thanksgiving had ended and the tree had been put up I begin the monumental task of mixing, baking, dipping and wrapping up the 12 goodies into tins to give as gifts to family and friends.  Sometimes I wonder what I have gotten myself into, but everyone seems to love my tins packed full of goodies and I think I would have a revolt on my hands if I failed to follow through on my yearly tradition.  

This year I figured I would share all my recipes and photos of each of the sweets and here is #7.

#7 Truffles

This truffle recipe comes from Kraft, but I had to doctor it up a bit.  I never have bakers chocolate on hand and so I use chocolate chips instead.  Plus I dip the truffles in almond bark.  The first year I made these I followed the recipe and used chocolate and they were too rich for my taste and so I began using almond bark.  I think they are so much better. 

Actually, they are not just better, they are amazing as I can't stop with just one, or two, or three.....

Truffles

1 pkg. 8 oz Cream Cheese at room temp.

1 ½ C Melted Chocolate Chips

-mix, cover and chill

-roll into balls, chill on wax paper

-dip in melted white chocolate or almond bark

Melt 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds.
I use semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Add the room temperature cream cheese and mix thoroughly. 

The chocolate/cream cheese mixture becomes nice and fluffy.  It is so tempting to take a taste, but one batch does not make much (about 60-70 small truffles.)

Cover and chill for quite a few hours.  I usually let it sit overnight.

Take a small amount of the mixture and roll into balls.  Be warned - it is quite sticky and your hands get covered in chocolate.  Place on wax paper and chill.

Melt almond bark or chocolate and dip the truffles.  I then add a white chocolate chip on top to cover the hole from the toothpick.  Let harden and enjoy.

I forgot to take a pretty picture of the finished truffle and I have none left as they are so addicting.  Maybe next year I can add a photo.