Truffles

One year, Daddy bought me a special treat for our wedding anniversary.  He purchased a Chocolate Class at the Viking Culinary School in Atlanta.  I had so much fun.  You were only about 6 months old so I was a little nervous leaving you with Daddy, but you survived!  Here's one of my favorite things I learned to make:

Truffles
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
10 oz semi sweet chocolate (It matters because of the amount of milk solids in the chocolate.)
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoon liqueur

Heat the cream in the microwave for 2 minutes, cream should be boiling at this point.  Pour the chocolate over the cream and start stirring until it has completely melted.  Add the butter and liqueur of your choice (I've used Chocolate Vodka, Kahlua and Rum, but I know Peppermint Schnapps and even Orange or Raspberry Liqueurs would be great!), stir until well combined and glossy.

Place in the fridge until hardened.

Scoop into balls (you may need to hand roll but be quick because it gets messy as they start melting with your body temperature) and place on a sheet tray and freeze until hard, about 2 hours.

Coatings:
Melt white bark, white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate or milk chocolate (whatever you like).  Using a fork and butter knife, drop the hardened truffle balls into the chocolate and quickly lift and shake off the excess using the fork.  Using the knife, push the truffle back onto the sheet pan.  Work quickly because the truffles will start to melt.  You can do this in batches and keep half in the freezer while working on the other half.  Melt more chocolate as needed, freeze to harden the shell.  If using white bark or white chocolate, don't worry about the truffle melting into the chocolate and making it brown.  You will double dip these anyway.

After the 1st coating has hardened, should only take a few minutes.  Melt more chocolate and dip again.  Sprinkle the tops with sparkling sugar to make them pretty and place any extra chocolate into a food baggie, cut the corner and drizzle over the top of the truffles.  They are so pretty and super delicious!

You can also forego the double-dipped coating and roll the truffles in cocoa powder, powdered sugar, coconut or even chopped pecans.  You decide what makes you happy and go with it!

Enjoy!