Cooking With Kids - Simply Sensational Truffles

Here's a fun and easy little recipe courtesy of Kraft...

It has only 2 "real" ingredients and is a great afternoon project with the kids. In fact, my girls will be making these again and giving them as gifts to their teachers. We're gonna decorate little boxes and make cards...

The Ingredients:

2-1/2 pkg. (20 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

Extras: chopped nuts, sprinkles, chopped Oreo cookies, Christmas M&Ms, powdered sugar (you get the idea, something to pretty them up)

The Directions:

Unwrap and melt 8 of the chocolate squares (8 oz).

In a separate bowl beat cream cheese until smooth. Blend in melted chocolate, refrigerate until firm.

Pass the refrigeration time by letting the kids help with the clean up:

After the mixture is firm (30 minutes or so) shape into balls. The recipe calls for 36... I used a small teaspoon and made them just under an inch in diameter.

Depending on the age of your child you may have to reshape the balls. Don't spend too much time rolling as the heat from your hands will cause the chocolate to melt.

Place on wax paper covered cookie sheet and put back in the refrigerator.

Melt the remaining chocolate. Remove chilled chocolate balls from refrigerator. Carefully dip the balls into the chocolate with a fork (roll them around so they get all covered) and place on the wax paper covered cookie sheet. (Seriously, don't forget the waxed paper. The chocolate will stick to everything else.)

Let your kids adorn the truffles...

Then chill for at least an hour.

If you're going to be fancy remove from waxed paper and place in mini muffin cups or candy cups. Voilà! Almost too pretty to eat...

Tip: When melting chocolate in the microwave melt for one minute first, stir and then melt in 30-second increments until chocolate is smooth. Watch it as you do not want to overheat chocolate.

I have another truffle recipe here. Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles. Mmmm...