Truffle temptations: melt your loved ones' hearts with decadent chocolate goodies that are easier than ever to make.Almost everyone loves chocolate. These very easy truffle truffle (trŭf`əl) [Fr.], subterranean edible fungus that forms a mutually beneficial (symbiotic) relationship with the roots of certain trees and plants. The part of the fungus used as food is the ascoma, the fruiting body of the fungus. variations make a decadent dec·a·dent adj. 1. Being in a state of decline or decay. 2. Marked by or providing unrestrained gratification; self-indulgent. 3. often Decadent Of or relating to literary Decadence. n. treat for all your chocolate lovers and valentines and are great to have on hand as gifts or as after-dinner desserts with coffee. They are the perfect ending for any meal. Place individual truffles in small gold liners in a pretty box as a gift or party favor. For a different dessert, try placing 2 or 3 different kinds on a small dessert plate to serve with a flavored coffee. Stack them on a silver tray to serve at your next party. Or add several to a beautiful china plate with a sweet message or important question. If the prospect of making truffles at home seems daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin , try one of these surprisingly simple recipes. Thanks to ready-made ingredients and helpful shortcuts See Win Shortcuts. , even beginning cooks will be able to create these bite-sized pieces of perfection. COOKIE DOUGH TRUFFLES 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup egg substitute, thawed 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate morsels 1 cup pecans, finely chopped Beat butter at medium speed until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add egg substitute and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, and beat well. Stir in chocolate morsels and pecans. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Shape into 1-inch balls. Cover and freeze balls until very firm. Prepare Coating. Using a toothpick toothpick, n a wood sliver used to cleanse the interdental space. toothpick, balsa wood, n a triangular wedge of balsa wood used to clean the teeth interproximally and stimulate the interdental gingival tissues. , dip balls into Coating, and allow to harden on waxed paper waxed paper n. Wax paper. waxed paper or wax paper Noun paper treated or coated with wax or paraffin to make it waterproof . These may be stored in the refrigerator for about 1 week or frozen for about 2 months. Yield: about 50 truffles. COATING: 1 (12-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate morsels 1 1/2 tablespoons shortening Place morsels and shortening in a microwaveable bowl, and melt at 2-minute intervals on low until melted. BROWNIE TRUFFLES 1 packase brownie mix, prepared according, to package directions 1 can prepared milk chocolate icing 1/4 cup sugar Miniature chocolate morsels, chopped pecans, chopped almonds, or powdered cocoa Prepare brownies, and frost with canned icing. Cut into squares, and dip bottoms in sugar. Cut each brownie into fourths, and roll into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in mini chocolate morsels, pecans, toasted almonds, or powdered cocoa. Will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks or in the freezer for about 2 months. Yield: about 32 pieces. MARTHA WASHINGTON TRUFFLES 1 box confectioner's sugar 1/2 stick unsalted butter 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk 2 cups pecans, finely chopped 1/2 can (3 1/2 ounces) Baker's Angel Flake sweetened coconut 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 12 ounces vanilla-flavored almond bark Combine sugar, butter, and condensed milk condensed milk: see milk. . Add pecans, coconut, and vanilla, and mix well. Roll into walnut-sized balls, and stick a toothpick into each ball. Chill for 6 hours or overnight. Melt vanilla-flavored almond bark Almond Bark (also known as vanilla flavored candy coating) is an artificial chocolate made with vegetable fats instead of cocoa butter and with coloring and flavors added. It can be found in 1.5 pound packages, in blocks, or in round discs where candy supplies are sold. in a microwaveable bowl at 2-minute intervals on low until melted. Dip each ball into melted almond bark, and sprinkle with coconut, chopped pecans, or sprinkles. Will keep in the refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks or in the freezer for about 2 months. Yield: about 30 pieces. BITTERSWEET TRUFFLES 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped Cocoa, miniature chocolate morsels, finely chopped nuts, or melted chocolate Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour over chocolate, and let melt. Whisk until smooth, and refrigerate re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. for about 1 hour until firm. Spoon into mounds of about 2 tablespoons each on a baking sheet baking sheet n. A flat rectangular metal pan, often with at least one rolled-up edge, used for baking. lined with waxed paper, and return to refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Remove, and shape into balls. Roll balls in cocoa, mini morsels, or nuts, or dip into dip into Verb 1. to draw upon: he dipped into his savings 2. to read passages at random from (a book or journal) Verb 1. melted chocolate. These may be stored in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks or in the freezer for about 2 months. Yield: about 30 pieces. MILK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 cups milk chocolate chips or 2 (4-ounce) chocolate baking bars Cocoa, miniature chocolate morsels, finely chopped nuts, or melted chocolate Bring cream to a simmer in a saucepan. Stir in butter until melted. Pour over chocolate in a small bowl, and stir until melted. Refrigerate for about 2 hours, and roll into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in cocoa, mini morsels, or pecans, or dip into melted chocolate. These may be stored in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks or in the freezer for 2 months. Yield: about 30 pieces. CHOCOLATE HEARTS OR ARROWS Add a special touch to your valentine greeting with chocolate hearts or arrows. Place a piece of waxed paper or parchment parchment, untanned skins of animals, especially of the sheep, calf, and goat, prepared for use as a writing material. The name is a corruption of Pergamum, the ancient city of Asia Minor where preparation of parchment suitable for use on both sides was achieved in on a cookie sheet, and draw the desired shape with a pencil. Melt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Chocolate chips are small chunks of chocolate. They are often sold in a round, flat-bottomed teardrop shape (similar to a Hershey's Kiss). They are available in numerous sizes, from large to miniature, but are usually around 1 cm in diameter. and 1 teaspoon shortening in a microwaveable bowl at 2-minute intervals on low until melted. Pour chocolate into a re-sealable plastic bag, and cut off a small corner. Use the bag to pipe out hearts or arrows on drawings, then refrigerate until hardened. Or pipe a message or question on a plate to your favorite valentine. |
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