Creative and Easy homemade Christmas gift ideas - Chocolate Truffles

November 10, 10:53 AMHaight-Ashbury Budget Living ExaminerCarol Hilker

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Homemade Chocolate Truffles make a great Christmas present.

This year, instead of fighting the long lines for Black Friday, save a little money by making your own, homemade, Christmas and holiday presents.  Chocolate Truffles are a homemade Christmas Gift idea that is not only delicious, but easy and fun;  making this creative and easy homemade Christmas gift will not only save money, but will show the recipients how much they meanl.

Creative and Wasy homemade gift - Chocolate Truffle Recipe 

Ingredients

    * 10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped fine
    * 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    * 1/2 cup heavy cream
    * 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
    * 1/4 cup brandy, peppermint schnapps or a liquour flavor of your choice
    * 1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa powder, finely chopped nuts, and/or toasted coconut, for coating truffles
    * 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine

Directions

1. Place the 10 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate and butter in a medium size glass mixing bowl.
2. Microwave for 30 seconds to melt chocolate. Remove and stir, put in for about another 30 seconds, the set to the side.
3. Heat the heavy cream and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering.   
4. Remove from the heat and pour the mixture over the melted chocolate mixture; let stand for 2 minutes.
5. Using a rubber spatula, stir gently, starting in the middle of bowl and working in circles until all chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth and creamy.    Stir in the liquor. 
6. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 8-inch glass baking dish and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
7. Using a small cookie scooper, scoop chocolate onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
8. Place the cocoa powder, nuts, and/or toasted coconut each in its own pie pan and set aside.
9. In the meantime, place the 8 ounces of chocolate into a medium mixing bowl which is sitting on top of a heating pad lined bowl, with the heating pad set to medium. Depending on the heating pad, you may need to adjust the heat up or down.
10. Stirring the chocolate occasionally, test the temperature of the chocolate and continue heating until it reaches 90 to 92 degrees F; do not allow the chocolate to go above 94 degrees F. If you do, the coating will not have a nice snap to it when you bite into the chocolate. Once you have reached the optimal temperature, adjust the heat to maintain it.
11. Remove the truffles from the refrigerator and shape into balls by rolling between the palms of your hands. Use powder-free vinyl or latex gloves, if desired.
12. Dip an ice cream scoop into the chocolate and turn upside down to remove excess chocolate.
13. Place truffles 1 at time into the scoop and roll around until coated. Then place the truffle into the dish with either the cocoa powder, nuts or coconut. Move the truffle around to coat; leave truffle in the coating for 10 to 15 seconds before removing.                                                                                        
14. In the meantime, continue placing the chocolate-coated truffles in the cocoa or other secondary coating.
15. After 10 to 15 seconds, remove the truffle to a parchment lined sheet pan.                                          
16. Repeat until all truffles are coated.                                                                                                    
17. Allow to set in a cool dry place for at least 1 hour; or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
18. Wrap in airtight container and wrap a ribbon around the box.  Truffles are best when served at room temperature

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Tags:  Homemade gifts, homemade Christmas gifts, homemade present ideas, homemade christmas ideas, handmade Christmas presents, make Christmas presents, Christmas present idea.