Double Chocolate Raspberry Truffles

This is one of my favorite recipes. It requires practically no skill at all, the time commitment is very short and the payoff is HUGE. Your friends will think these chocolates belong in a fancy boutique somewhere. Where people handle things with white gloves and there’s soft music playing in the background. The smell alone makes me think I’m in an old-fashioned chocolatier. (inhale deeply) Oh, it’s so decadent. I’ve made hundreds & hundreds of these truffles in various flavors and they are all fabulous. I always put them in little mini-cupcake liners. Somehow, everything looks better when wrapped in a crimped paper shell. This newest variety I put together for my end of year MOPS tea tomorrow. I can’t wait to share them with my gals!

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 cups milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
2 T heavy cream
2 oz dark chocolate
1 1/2 teaspoons raspberry (or strawberry) extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until well blended.
2. Melt chocolate(s) over double boiler stirring often until smooth. Add to cream cheese mixture along with cream and raspberry extract. Stir until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Using a melon baller, shape into 1 inch balls.
3. Roll truffles in shaved dark chocolate (I just bought a brick of it and used a hand grater to shave it up). Keep in a cool place until ready to serve.

You could alter this recipe as you desire for various kinds of truffles. I’ve used ground walnuts (or any ground nuts), cocoa, coconut, confectioners’ sugar, candy sprinkles, etc. Or dip in melted chocolate/candy coating. You can substitute any kind of flavoring or liqeuor for the raspberry flavoring. Here are some of my suggestions.

Rum Truffles rolled in toffee chips
Peppermint flavoring rolled in chopped Andes mints or peppermint flavored chocolates
Almond Extract rolled in chopped almonds
Coffee Liquor rolled in powdered mocha mix
Coconut Extract rolled in coconut shavings
Plain chocolate with vanilla flavoring
White chocolate chips with orange flavoring