SIMPLY SENSATIONAL TRUFFLES

Baking at Christmastime doesn't have to be confined to cookies, nothing adds variety to a cookie tray like delicious pieces of homemade candy. One type of candy that I love to add to my trays are chocolate truffles. These incredibly simple yet absolutely delicious treats are sure to please everyone! And with only two ingredients, even the most inexperienced baker can whip these up in no time!

 

 

WHAT YOU NEED:

*20 oz.  semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

*1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

*colored sugar, colored sprinkles for decorating (optional)

 

WHAT YOU DO:

Melt 8 ounces of chocolate. Beat in cream cheese with mixer until creamy.  Blend in melted chocolate. Place in bowl and chill in refrigerator until firm. Once firm, using a cookie scoop, place balls of dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Return to refrigerator and chill until chocolate balls are firm.  Melt remaining chocolate. Using a spoon dip each chocolate ball into melted chocolate and return to cookie sheet.  Place in refrigerator and chill until outer chocolate is hardened.  Once the outer chocolate is hardened, place truffles into mini cupcake liners.  Store in refrigerator.



CHRISTMAS KOLACHE COOKIES

Every year, I bake several different kinds of Christmas cookies and treats for my family as well as for friends and neighbors. While I always try to make a few new recipes each year, there are some true favorites (most of them family recipes) that I bake every year.  One of these family recipes is my grandmother's recipe for Kolache. These little jelly filled cookies are a hit with everyone!

 

WHAT YOU NEED:

*6 cups flour

*1 tsp. salt

*1 tsp. sugar

*1 pkg. dry yeast

*1 lb. butter

*3 eggs

*3/4 cup milk

*fruit preserves of your choice (I use raspberry, strawberry, and apricot)

*powdered sugar for dusting

 

WHAT YOU DO:

 

Pre-heat oven to 375*. Sift together flour, salt, and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over mixture. Cut in butter until its like cornmeal. Add 3 eggs and 3/4 cup of milk. Mix well. Divide into 3 balls and chill.

Roll out dough on sugared (not floured) board. Roll until dough is thin. Cut into squares. Fill with desired filling. Pinch closed.



Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when cooled.

 

 

Makes about 11 dozen cookies.