Sweet on You!

There is something about chocolate.

Some say it's a "mood enhancer".

A friend in bad times, who listens without interrupting.

A tasteful moment, where if just for a second...

you don't have to think about carpools, homework, unpaid bills, or the grocery list.

A truffle can do that.

A bite-size little piece of chocolate heaven.

And since Valentine's Day is coming up, here is the perfect excuse to make some for those you love, and stash some away for yourself.

 Because you deserve it...especially after that science project you just did for your kid.

We know. 
We did 90% of it too.

 Truffle away my sisters.

And we're showing you some more love this week with a FREE PRINTABLE for your truffle boxes.

I've had this truffle recipe for 12 years...

There becomes something so sentimental about a recipe that's been "well loved". 
It's from Martha Stewart's Living magazine from 2001.

 The "original blogger" of all things wonderful, sweet and crafty.

It has been folded, stained, carried in my purse, and shoved back into my cookbook many times over. I lovingly take it out every February and make dozens and dozens of these beauties. 

I wrap them up in pretty little boxes and give them to my chocoholic friends who need it the most. You'll be amazed at how easy these are to make, and how just a box of chocolate can light up someone's face.

Here's what you need: (Each batch makes 4 dozen which will fit on one baking sheet. Because I make so many at once, I will usually quadruple this recipe which fits on all four of my baking sheets. My large stockpot will easily fit and cook 4 batches.

This is the recipe for 1 batch:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons of light corn syrup
• 2 pounds of semisweet chocolate chips (the best quality you can find)
• toppings (my favorites are powdered sugar, chopped andes mints, sprinkles, cocoa powder, and chopped walnuts)
• candy wrappers (found at most craft supply stores)
• wax paper

Add cream, butter and corn syrup to a pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. 




Turn off the heat and add 1 pound of the chocolate chips. Gently swirl them in to cover them with the cream, but don't stir. Let that stand, undisturbed for 5 minutes. 
(I'm sure someone needs you right about now anyway)

Whisk the chocolate until combined and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Then refrigerate, stirring every 20 minutes. 

After 45 minutes to an hour, the mixture will thicken quickly, you'll want to stir every 5 minutes, until you have a nice hard consistency (cookie dough like).

Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, form 1 inch balls (don't worry if they aren't a shape yet, you'll do this when they harden a little more).
Place the balls on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Pop them into the freezer for 10 minutes or the refrigerator for 25-30 minutes. You want them firm enough to roll in your hand.

Now it's time to melt your other pound of chocolate.
I always microwave mine in a microwave safe bowl every 30 seconds, stirring each time until I have perfect smooth dipping consistency.

The toppings for your truffles can be your signature.
My favorites are cocoa powder, powdered sugar, choc chips or andes mints, and walnuts.
I've also used chopped pistachios and pecans, crushed candy cane, crushed butterfingers. 
The combinations are endless.
Do something that makes them yours.

Roll the ball in your hands to make a nice round shape and dip it into the melted chocolate. Then drop it into your topping. The topping will cover the melted chocolate so that you can lift it out of the bowl. I usually dip with my left hand and use my right hand to dip into the toppings.

Aren't they gorgeous?
They'll last about a week in an airtight container stored at room temperature.

You've always heard that presentation is everything.
With these truffles, the packaging just makes it all the more beautiful.
I buy candy boxes at my local craft/hobby store and line them with tissue paper.
Place the truffles in the candy wrappers before putting them in the box.

Michaela made you all this darling FREE printable to use with your truffles!
Just click HERE to download it!
So easy...just print on cardstock or sticker paper.
They are just under 3 inches so you can use a 3 inch circle punch with these.

Want the tag personalized? Click HERE to purchase the personalized tag

If you decide to do a "trial run" on your first batch of these truffles and decide not to give any away...that's OK too. 
We won't tell. 
We've got your back.

Now that's sweet.